Rio de Janeiro | May 3, 2025 : Brazilian football club Santos FC is working on a contract extension to retain Neymar Jr. until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the forward currently recovering from injury. Club President Marcelo Teixeira confirmed the news during a media briefing on Friday, underlining Neymar’s importance to the team’s long-term vision.
Neymar’s Return to Santos and Recent Performance
After over a decade playing across Europe and Saudi Arabia, Neymar made a sensational return to Santos—his boyhood club—in January 2025 on a six-month deal. Since his comeback, the 33-year-old has appeared in 9 matches, scoring 3 goals and providing 3 assists.
Despite being plagued by injuries, Neymar’s presence has energized the club both on and off the field. Santos sees his continued presence as crucial for stability and inspiration, especially amid their current struggles in the Brazilian domestic league.
Dedicated Recovery Plan in Place
Santos has implemented a special recovery program tailored specifically for Neymar. Club President Teixeira stated:
“When we brought Neymar back, we were fully aware of his physical challenges. Our medical and recovery units have been allocated exclusively to him. We are closely monitoring his condition to ensure he remains fit and stays with us through the World Cup in 2026.”
The club hopes to gradually reintegrate Neymar into full match fitness while maximizing his contributions in key fixtures as the team rebuilds.
Injury Woes and Road to Recovery
Neymar has faced recurring muscle injuries since returning to action in October 2024. Prior to that, he was sidelined for over a year due to a severe knee injury. These setbacks have impacted his match fitness and availability, but the club remains committed to his full recovery.
Coaching Changes Amid League Struggles
Santos currently finds itself 19th out of 20 teams in the Brazilian league standings, prompting a swift managerial change. Following the departure of Pedro Caixinha, the club has appointed Kleber Xavier, former assistant coach of Brazil’s national team, as the new head coach.
The management believes Neymar’s leadership and on-field influence will play a pivotal role in the team’s efforts to avoid relegation and build momentum leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.