Neymar’s Ongoing Injury Concerns Amid Santos’ Relegation Battle

omidbasir- Excitement surged when news emerged that Neymar might return to his childhood club at the beginning of 2025 following the termination of his contract with Al-Hilal. Indeed, the former Paris Saint-Germain star was officially unveiled by the Brazilian giants in late January, expressing his desire to regain peak form and reestablish himself in the national team.

Although Neymar’s statistics of seven goals and three assists in 25 matches across all competitions are commendable, he has frequently struggled with injuries. This has resulted in him missing significant game time, coinciding with Santos currently precariously positioned just above the relegation zone.

According to BeIN Sports, Neymar has been grappling with knee discomfort throughout the week, leading to his absence from Monday’s crucial match against fellow relegation battlers Internacional, who currently sit 17th and 15th in the Brasileiro Serie A standings, respectively. Fortunately, reports indicate that there is no structural damage; however, the pain has been substantial enough to cause concern within the club.

Neymar’s contract with Santos is set to expire at the end of this year, potentially making him a free agent by early 2026, just six months before the World Cup. Despite no recent advancements in contract negotiations, 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.”

Nonetheless, while a potential move to rivals Fluminense has been dismissed by their president, Mario Bittencourt, who mentioned, “There has been no recent contact between Fluminense and the player, or his staff. Fluminense has immense respect for Santos, and the club and the player are fully committed to winning the remaining games in the Brazilian Championship.”

Despite not including him in recent Brazil squads, former Real Madrid manager and current Selecao coach Carlo Ancelotti has delivered a clear message to Neymar: maintain fitness and perform well for a chance to make the 2026 World Cup roster. 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 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 offered additional counsel for the Brazilian star as he aims for a successful tournament in North America next year, underscoring that modern soccer demands not only talent but also physical fitness and intensity. He advised, “Neymar needs to play more centrally, not as a winger. Wingers in today’s soccer are required to contribute defensively. Playing a bit more inward reduces the defensive responsibilities compared to a winger’s role.”

As Santos prepares to face Internacional on Monday night without Neymar, they seek to alleviate their relegation concerns. Currently, they stand one position and three points above the drop zone, with four matches remaining in the season. Whether Neymar will contribute to their efforts remains uncertain.