Neymar Faces Injury Setback as Santos Struggles in Série A

omidbasir- There was a palpable excitement when rumors emerged about Neymar’s potential return to his boyhood club, Santos, in early 2025, following the termination of his contract with Al-Hilal. In late January, the former Paris Saint-Germain star was officially presented by the Brazilian giants, eager to regain his form and re-enter the international scene. Although a return of seven goals and three assists in 25 matches across all competitions is commendable, Neymar has faced frequent injuries.

These injuries have led to his absence in several crucial matches, as Santos currently hovers just above the relegation zone. Recent reports from BeIN Sports indicate that Neymar has been experiencing knee discomfort, which will prevent him from participating in Monday’s match against fellow relegation battlers Internacional, who are positioned 17th and 15th in the Brasileiro Série A, respectively. While there is no structural damage, the pain has raised concerns within the club regarding his fitness.

Neymar’s contract with Santos is set to expire at the end of this year, potentially making him a free agent by early 2026, with the World Cup only six months away. So far, there has been no significant progress towards a contract renewal, 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’ll find a solution at the right moment.”

However, Teixeira’s assurance does not guarantee Neymar’s continued presence at Santos, and a transfer to rival club Fluminense has been explicitly ruled out by president Mario Bittencourt. He tweeted, “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 Neymar’s absence from recent Brazil squad selections, current Selecao manager Carlo Ancelotti issued an ultimatum to the star: remain fit and perform well, and he may have a chance to participate in the 2026 World Cup. “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 concludes, he’ll have some vacation time, and then he must demonstrate his quality and physical condition again,” Ancelotti remarked just under two weeks ago.

The former AC Milan coach also offered advice to Neymar in his quest to compete in next year’s prestigious tournament in North America. “The truth is that soccer today asks for many things, not just talent. It also requires physical condition and intensity. Hopefully, Neymar can return to his best form. He needs to play more centrally, not as a winger. Wingers in today’s soccer are players who also need to assist defensively. When playing a bit more inward, the defensive work required is significantly less than if you play as a winger.”

As Santos prepares to face Internacional without Neymar on Monday night, they are looking to alleviate their relegation fears. Currently, they sit just one position and three points above the relegation zone, with four crucial matches remaining in the season. Following this encounter, they will face Sport Recife, Juventude RS, and Cruzeiro in their efforts to ensure their top-flight status. Whether Neymar will contribute to this campaign remains uncertain.