Neymar sends out defiant message as Brazilian superstar shares fitness update and closes in on return from injury at Santos

Neymar has been out with a muscle injury in recent weeks but on Monday he showed himself being put through his paces in what looked like an encouraging fitness update.

Alongside multiple photos of him working hard in the gym, he wrote on Instagram: "Don’t give up."

Neymar has had an injury-hit 18 months or so, much of which was during a disastrous spell at Al-Hilal. But he has recaptured his mojo at Santos and they will hope the 33-year-old is back fit and firing soon. Santos have implemented a new plan to "improve his recovery and strengthening” in a bid to keep him off the treatment table.

It remains to be seen when Neymar will be back fit as Santos prepare for their next game at home to Bahia on April 7.