Brazilian star Neymar is set to have knee surgery after helping his boyhood club Santos avoid relegation from Brazil’s Serie A.
The 33-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Santos’ 3-0 win over Cruzeiro on Sunday, securing the team’s survival in the top flight. Speaking after the match, Neymar said:
“I need to rest and then I will have this knee surgery.”
Since returning to Brazil in January after just seven appearances in 18 months for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, Neymar has played a key role in Santos’ survival, scoring five goals in the last four matches.
“I came for this, to try to help in the best way I can,” Neymar added. “These have been tough weeks for me… If it weren’t for those supporting me, I wouldn’t have played these matches because of this knee problem.”
The injury had kept Brazil’s all-time top scorer, with 79 goals in 128 appearances, out of the national team since October 2023. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has said Neymar must regain full fitness to be considered for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Despite needing surgery, Neymar’s recent performances may have saved his World Cup chances. He scored a hat-trick against Juventude, contributed to a 3-0 win over Sport, and played a key role in the 3-0 victory over Cruzeiro. These results secured Santos’ place in the top division and kept Neymar in contention for national team selection.
His contract with Santos ends this month, and it is unclear whether he will stay, but his recent form makes him an attractive option for other Brazilian clubs. With the next season starting in January, Neymar has time to recover from surgery and prove his fitness ahead of the World Cup.
Ancelotti said, “We are in December and the World Cup is not until June. It depends on what Neymar does in the next few months.”
