Neymar’s Ongoing Injury Concerns and Future with Santos

omidbasir- The excitement surrounding Neymar’s potential return to his boyhood club intensified with news of the cancellation of his contract with Al-Hilal, paving the way for his re-signing with Santos at the beginning of 2025.

In late January, the former Paris Saint-Germain star was officially welcomed back by the Brazilian giants, expressing a keen desire to regain peak performance and reestablish his place in the national team. While his record of seven goals and three assists in 25 matches across all competitions is commendable, Neymar has been plagued by recurring injuries.

These injuries have resulted in significant absences, contributing to Santos’s precarious position just above the relegation zone. Recent reports from BeIN Sports indicate that Neymar has been experiencing knee discomfort throughout the week, leading to his exclusion from the upcoming match against Internacional, a critical encounter between two struggling teams in the Brasileiro Serie A. Fortunately, no structural damage has been found, but the pain persists, raising concerns within the club.

Neymar’s contract with Santos is set to expire at the end of this year, which could position him as a free agent by early 2026, just six months before the World Cup. As of now, negotiations for a contract extension have not progressed, although club president Marcelo Teixeira remains optimistic about reaching an agreement. He stated earlier this month, “Neymar’s project is the 2026 World Cup. If there’s consensus, he will extend. There is great trust between him and the club, and I believe we will find a solution at the right moment.”

However, his future is uncertain, and a transfer to rival club Fluminense has been ruled out by their president, Mario Bittencourt, who clarified via social media that there has been no recent contact between Fluminense and Neymar or his representatives. He emphasized Fluminense’s respect for Santos and commitment to their ongoing campaign in the Brazilian Championship.

Despite Neymar’s absence from recent Brazil squad selections, Carlo Ancelotti, the current coach of the Selecao, has issued a clear message: stay fit and perform well to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. He remarked, “Neymar is on the list of players who can go to the World Cup. He has six months to make the final list. Neymar has recovered, but he needs to demonstrate his performance. When the Brazilian league concludes, he’ll have some vacation time, and then he must showcase his quality and physical condition again.”

Ancelotti also offered strategic advice to Neymar, pointing out that modern soccer demands more than just talent; it requires physical fitness and intensity. “He needs to play more centrally, not as a winger. Wingers today must also contribute defensively,” Ancelotti advised. “Playing a bit more centrally reduces defensive responsibilities compared to a traditional winger role.”

Without Neymar, Santos prepares to face Internacional on Monday night, aiming to alleviate their relegation concerns. They currently sit one place and three points above the drop zone as they approach the final four matches of the season. The extent of Neymar’s involvement in their fight for top-flight survival remains uncertain.