In the final round of the 2025 Brasileirão season, Santos secured their top-flight survival with a 3–0 home victory over Cruzeiro.
After the match, Neymar revealed in an interview that he would undergo knee surgery and that his recovery timeline and future career plans remain uncertain.
His comments immediately sparked speculation about whether he will be able to participate in next year’s World Cup.
Playing Through Injury, Neymar Leads Santos To Safety
The 33-year-old forward returned to his boyhood club Santos in January after leaving the Saudi league, signing a one-year contract set to expire next month.
Although repeated hamstring issues limited him to just 19 appearances this season, he chose to return from injury during the crucial final stretch, ultimately helping the team turn their season around and secure survival.
In Santos’ decisive final six matches, Neymar delivered standout performances. He missed only one match due to injury and started the remaining five, logging a total of 443 minutes.
Even more impressively, he scored five goals and provided one assist in those five games, making him the team’s most influential contributor in their successful fight against relegation.
Hat-trick Hero: Neymar Recaptures His Peak Form
His most memorable display came in Matchweek 37 against Juventude. Neymar completed a hat-trick in just 17 minutes in the second half, guiding Santos to a crucial 3–0 victory.
In that match, he took five shots, all three on target, resulting in three goals. He was awarded a match-high rating of 9.2 afterward. This was his first hat-trick since April 2022, and the fourth of his Brasileirão career.
Neymar said after the match: “I came back to help Santos. These past few weeks have been very tough because of my knee; I need surgery. As for the future, I don’t know yet. I need to rest first before making any decisions. Of course, Santos will remain my priority.”
With his contract expiring, Santos’ willingness to extend a new deal will depend mainly on his physical condition and post-surgery recovery.
Ancelotti: Neymar Will Be Called Up If He Is Fit
Neymar still hopes to represent Brazil in next year’s World Cup. Brazil’s new head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, remains open to the possibility, stating: “I will select the World Cup squad in May next year. If Neymar deserves to be there, if he is in good condition at that time, he will go to the World Cup.”
World Cup Future Still Uncertain
For now, Neymar’s future remains unclear. The coming months will be decisive—not only for his recovery but also for determining the next chapter of his career and whether he can qualify for the World Cup.
