Neymar will undergo knee surgery after completing Santos’ decisive 3-0 victory over Cruzeiro, a result that ensured the club avoided an immediate fall back to Serie B following last year’s promotion. The 33-year-old featured throughout the match despite discomfort, choosing not to reveal how long his recovery might take and simply noting that he must rest before undergoing the procedure.
His return to Brazil in January came after a difficult spell with Al Hilal, where he played only seven times across a year and a half. Since rejoining Santos, he has been central in their late-season escape, scoring five times in the final four league fixtures. Neymar explained that the recent stretch had been demanding and thanked those who supported him through persistent knee issues, saying their help made it possible for him to play.
The forward has not represented Brazil since a loss to Uruguay in October 2023, with his scoring record for the national side halted at 79 goals in 128 caps. National coach Carlo Ancelotti remarked in October that Neymar would need full fitness and sustained form to return for the World Cup across Canada, Mexico, and the United States next summer.
A season transformed in the final stretch
Just weeks ago, Neymar’s prospects of one final World Cup attempt appeared nearly gone. His homecoming had not delivered the expected impact, and the serious injury suffered last year continued to interfere with his rhythm. A combination of repeated setbacks and limited sharpness left him struggling to break free from defenders, even as his technique in passing and set pieces remained.
With Santos locked near the bottom of the table, tensions surrounded the forward. He often appeared frustrated in matches, clashing with opponents, officials, and occasionally colleagues on the pitch. Throughout this period, questions about his place in the national team surfaced regularly, though Ancelotti consistently pointed to the importance of selecting only players at peak physical condition.
The past ten days, however, altered the mood around him. Although he still requires a minor procedure, Neymar played through considerable discomfort—his knee heavily strapped—and became the spark behind three straight victories. His output was decisive: a goal and an assist against Sport, three goals against Juventude, and a strong display against Cruzeiro that sealed the club’s survival.
It is important to note, though, that the teams he faced during this run did not pose the sternest tests. Sport and Juventude had already been relegated, while Cruzeiro rotated heavily due to a cup semifinal. These fixtures bear little relevance to national-team standards, but they nevertheless reshaped the immediate outlook for Neymar’s future.
What comes next for Neymar
Had Santos fallen to the second tier, Neymar’s route back into Brazil’s squad would have become nearly impossible. Competing in a lower division would have hindered any effort to regain international standing, and his options elsewhere might have narrowed. Instead, this late surge has opened new possibilities.
Neymar’s short-term future remains uncertain. His contract expires at the end of the month, and some within the club question whether they can continue to afford him. Even so, the recent turnaround has increased the likelihood that he will remain—at least until midyear—or attract interest from another Brazilian side willing to offer a brief deal.
With the new Serie A campaign beginning at the end of January, much earlier than usual, a successful recovery from surgery could give him several months to rebuild form before World Cup selections intensify. As Ancelotti emphasized last week, the tournament is still months away, and everything depends on how Neymar uses the time ahead.
