Neymar puts doubts to rest and renews with Santos until 2026

After weeks marked by uncertainty and rumors of a possible departure, Neymar made a key decision for the final stretch of his career: renewing his contract with Santos until December 2026. The announcement, wrapped in mystery and symbolism, was teased by the club with a video of Vila Belmiro and a date that said it all. The message was clear: the idol is staying home.

At 33 years old, Neymar chose emotional and sporting stability at the club where his football journey began, ruling out options abroad and reaffirming his bond with the Peixe. The renewal comes at a sensitive moment, with the forward in the middle of a recovery process, but also with his sights set on a greater goal: reaching the 2026 World Cup with the Brazil national team.

Injuries, resilience, and a decisive role in survival

Neymar’s return to Santos in 2025 was far from easy. Injuries limited his continuity, including a recent meniscus surgery on his left knee performed on December 22. Still, even with physical setbacks, the forward’s impact proved decisive during the most critical moments of the season.

In the Brasileirão, Neymar played 20 matches, scored eight goals, and added one assist, with a revealing detail: five of those goals came in the final five rounds, when Santos were fighting to avoid relegation. His leadership and hierarchy made the difference. Under Argentine coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda, the team finished 12th, also securing a spot in the Copa Sudamericana.

Beyond the numbers, Neymar became the face of the team’s emotional turnaround. In an adverse context, he once again delivered when it mattered most.

Santos as an emotional refuge and sporting project

After a frustrating spell at Al-Hilal, where injuries overshadowed his time there, Santos represents a familiar, protective, and competitive environment. It is the place where Neymar can regain rhythm, confidence, and continuity, something essential if he hopes to return to the national team picture.

The São Paulo-based club plans to manage him carefully across a demanding calendar that includes the Brasileirão, Copa do Brasil, Copa Sudamericana, and Campeonato Paulista, always mindful of his physical condition.

The 2026 World Cup, the great goal still within reach

Although Carlo Ancelotti has yet to call him up since taking charge of Brazil, Neymar has not hidden his ambition. He is the Seleção’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, and he knows his legacy still has one missing chapter: lifting the World Cup.

Brazil will share a group with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland at the World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, where the margin for error is minimal. Renewing with Santos gives Neymar something he has lacked in recent years: time and control over his own process.

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