Neymar Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery as World Cup Ambitions Loom

Santos FC has confirmed that their star forward, Neymar, successfully underwent knee surgery to address a medial meniscus injury. He now faces a race against time to regain full fitness and reclaim his spot in the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in North America.

The club’s official statement noted, “An arthroscopy was performed to treat the injury. The surgery was a success, and the athlete is recovering well.”

After grappling with a knee issue during the closing weeks of the Brazilian Serie A season, Neymar finally underwent the procedure on Monday, with Brazil’s national team physician, Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, overseeing the surgery.

While Santos has not provided a specific timeline for his return, Globo Esporte reports that the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player may need up to a month to fully recuperate and resume training.

Neymar has not represented the national team since September 2023, when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear. He is determined to mount a comeback and secure his place in coach Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the World Cup next summer.

During a recent public appearance alongside singer Thiaguinho, Neymar expressed his commitment, stating, “We will do everything possible, even the impossible, to bring this World Cup back to Brazil. In July, you can hold me accountable. Ancelotti, please help us! If we reach the final, I promise to score.”

Although Neymar remains hopeful about participating in his fourth World Cup, his inclusion is not guaranteed; it ultimately depends on Ancelotti’s assessment. The Italian coach has indicated that while Neymar is in contention, the final decision will be made closer to the tournament. He emphasized, “We will finalize the squad after the March FIFA window. I understand the interest in Neymar, but I will select the team based on performance and fitness in May.”

The Brazilian icon has had a challenging year, marked by injuries during his time at Santos. Nonetheless, he concluded the latest season positively, scoring four goals in the last three games, which helped the team avoid relegation and secure a 12th-place finish in the Serie A.

With Neymar’s current contract set to expire at the end of December, speculation regarding his future at Santos has intensified. Reports suggest that despite interest from various clubs, including Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, Neymar has prioritized staying with Santos and is in advanced discussions to extend his contract for an initial six months.

Santos president Marcelo Teixeira remains optimistic about Neymar’s future with the club. He shared with ESPN, “Neymar’s project is centered around next year’s World Cup. The dialogue continues, and we are assessing the financial details. I am hopeful that we will reach an agreement for his continuation with the club.”