Neymar is set to undergo knee surgery after playing a key role in helping Santos secure their place in Brazil’s top division.
Santos defeated Cruzeiro 3-0 on Sunday, guaranteeing their stay in Serie A for next season and preventing an immediate drop back to the second tier.
The club has only suffered relegation once in their history, which occurred in 2023.
Although Neymar’s season has been hampered by injuries and he has featured in just 19 Serie A games, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward proved decisive toward the end of the campaign, scoring four goals in Santos’ final three matches.
Against Cruzeiro, Thaciano scored twice while Joao Schmidt added the third, with Neymar attempting four shots and creating three chances.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has left the possibility open for Neymar to return to the national team — his last appearance was in 2023 — ahead of next year’s World Cup. However, the 33-year-old will now need surgery to address the knee problem.
“I came for this, to try to help the best way I can. These have been tough weeks for me,” Neymar said.
“I thank those who were with me to lift me up. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have played these matches because of these injuries, this knee problem.
“I need to rest and then we will have this knee surgery.”
