While recovering from an injury, the No. 10 has become a key figure in the Peixe’s rebuilding process, playing a direct role in some of the decisions that have allowed the club to return to the transfer market and strengthen its squad for the decisive stretch of the season.
“Agent Neymar”: The Two Signings He Wants to Bring to Santos
Neymar cannot help Santos on the pitch at the moment, but his influence at the club is extending far beyond goals and assists.
It all started with a problem that had practically paralyzed Santos.
The club owed Monaco €2.032 million in connection with the signing of Jean Lucas in 2023. FIFA had imposed a transfer ban that prevented the club from registering new players for three transfer windows or until the outstanding amount was paid.
That is when Neymar’s camp stepped in once again.
Neymar’s Family Helps Santos Return to the Transfer Market
NR Sports, the company owned by the player’s family, provided the R$12 million needed for Santos to settle its debt with Monaco and regain the ability to register new players.
It was not simply a loan.
As part of the agreement, NR Sports received six commercial spaces on Santos’ uniforms to negotiate sponsorship deals.
The operation solved a problem that had been affecting the club’s sporting plans for weeks and immediately opened the door for new signings.
One of the first names was a familiar one for Neymar.
Arthur Melo, 30, arrived as a free agent after ending his contractual relationship with Juventus. The former Barcelona, Liverpool, Fiorentina, and Girona midfielder was a direct request from Neymar and his father, with the approval of head coach Cuca.
But the No. 10’s work did not stop there.
Neymar Also Makes a Move for Philippe Coutinho
The next target was Philippe Coutinho.
According to reports from Brazilian media, Neymar and NR Sports have taken a leading role in talks aimed at bringing the midfielder to Vila Belmiro.
The relationship between the two players goes back many years.
Neymar and Coutinho played together at youth level for the Brazil National Team before becoming part of an important generation with the senior side, including at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Now, their paths could cross again.
Coutinho, 34, has been without a club since his spell with Vasco da Gama ended in February, and his potential arrival would come with an obvious risk: he has gone several months without playing an official match.
That is precisely why the Santos board has carefully evaluated the conditions surrounding a potential deal.
His talent, however, has never been in question.
A Santos Side That Needs Help on and off the Pitch
The urgency to strengthen the squad is no coincidence.
The Peixe still needs to find consistency in the Brasileirão, but another path remains open to turn the season into a successful one.
Santos defeated Atlético Mineiro 2-0 at Vila Belmiro in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals, thanks to goals from Willian Arão and Christian Oliva, both assisted by Gabigol.
Next Wednesday, Santos will have to defend that advantage at Arena MRV as it looks to secure a place in the tournament’s final four.
Neymar will once again have to watch from the sidelines.
But being injured does not mean he has stopped making a difference.
The Brazilian returned to the club of his life hoping to change its fortunes on the pitch. Now, while waiting to play again, he is also using his influence away from it.
He helped unlock the transfer market.
He played a role in bringing in Arthur.
And he became directly involved in talks for Coutinho.
At times, Neymar no longer looks like just Santos’ No. 10.
He also looks like one of the men helping build the team.
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
Santos FC Sao Paulo
