Neymar tests positive for Covid-19

Brazilian football star Neymar has tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time, his club Santos has confirmed.

The forward is now in home isolation and will miss joining the Brazil national team camp.

The 32-year-old began showing symptoms, including a fever, on Thursday. He was immediately placed under medical observation and has since been quarantined, according to a statement issued by Santos.

The news first emerged through Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, who reported on Instagram that Neymar had missed Thursday's training session due to illness. Brazilian outlet 'Globo' later corroborated the report, citing the club's medical team, which confirmed the Covid-19 diagnosis after several rounds of testing.

"Neymar developed a fever and symptoms consistent with Covid-19 and is currently being monitored by our medical team," Santos said in its statement. "He is isolating at home under medical advice."

As a result of the infection, Neymar was absent from Santos’ recent match and will not report to the Brazil national team camp as initially scheduled. A follow-up medical examination is planned for Monday to determine the next steps in his recovery.

This marks the second time Neymar has contracted the virus, having previously tested positive in May 2021 while playing for French club Paris Saint-Germain. Neymar has been temporarily prevented from the Brazil national team camp.