"I really wanted to help the team"

The Campeonato Paulista was Neymar Jr's first big chance to lift silverware after his prodigious return to Santos, following the termination of his multi-million dollar contract with Al Hilal. 

However, Neymar's dream of lifting a trophy with his boyhood team will have to wait after they were knocked out in the Paulista championship semi-finals by Corinthians. 

Santos were without their No. 10, who watched from the bench as goals from Yuri Alberto and Garro eliminated his side from the competition. After the defeat, Neymar shared a story on Instagram in which he explained why he was unable to play in the semi-finals. 

"Unfortunately I felt some pain in the recent weeks… I really wanted to help the team, then we made tests in the morning but I felt pain again," he said.