Neymar’s Injury Concerns and Future with Santos Amid World Cup Aspirations

omidbasir- There is a palpable sense of excitement surrounding Neymar’s potential return to his boyhood club, Santos, at the beginning of 2025 following the cancellation of his contract with Al-Hilal.

Indeed, the former Paris Saint-Germain star was officially unveiled by Santos in late January, eager to reclaim his top form and reestablish himself in the international spotlight. Although a tally of seven goals and three assists in 25 appearances is respectable, Neymar has struggled with injuries, which have limited his contributions.

Currently, Santos finds itself just above the relegation zone, and Neymar’s recent knee discomfort has forced him to miss the upcoming match against Internacional, who are also fighting to avoid relegation in the Brasileiro Serie A. Fortunately, reports indicate that there is no structural damage to his knee; however, the pain has raised concerns within the club regarding his condition.

Neymar’s contract with Santos is set to expire at the end of this year, potentially making him a free agent in early 2026, just six months ahead of the World Cup. So far, negotiations for a contract extension have not yielded results, although club president Marcelo Teixeira remains optimistic about reaching an agreement.

Teixeira 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’ll find a solution at the right moment.”

While there is uncertainty regarding Neymar’s future at Santos, a move to rival club Fluminense has been dismissed by president Mario Bittencourt. He clarified on social media, “Regarding Neymar, I clarify that there has been no recent contact between Fluminense and the player, or his staff. Fluminense has immense respect for Santos, and obviously, the club and the player are 100% dedicated to winning the remaining games in the Brazilian Championship.”

Despite not being included in recent Brazil squad selections, national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has issued a clear ultimatum to Neymar: maintain fitness and perform well to increase his chances of participating in the 2026 World Cup.

Ancelotti asserted, “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 show performance. When the Brazilian league ends, he’ll have some vacation time, and then he must show his quality and physical condition again.”

The former AC Milan manager also advised Neymar on his approach to the game in light of the upcoming tournament. He emphasized, “The truth is that soccer today demands much more than just talent; it requires physical condition and intensity. Hopefully, Neymar can reach his optimal level. He needs to play more centrally, not as a winger. Wingers in today’s soccer need to assist defensively, while playing more centrally requires less defensive responsibility.”

As Santos prepares to face Internacional without Neymar, they will aim to alleviate their relegation fears. Currently, they sit one position and three points above the drop zone with only four matches left in the season. Whether Neymar will contribute to their efforts remains uncertain.