Neymar’s Santos secured his survival in the Brazilian Serie A with a 3-0 win over Cruzeiro on Sunday, and the 33-year-old football star later confirmed he will undergo surgery on his left knee.
In its final league match of the season, Santos – who gained a worldwide following with the all-time great Pele – avoided what would have been the club’s second relegation in its history.
Santos were relegated for the first time in 2023, almost a year after Pelé’s death.
Neymar struggled to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. But he proved key for Santos in its successful battle to avoid relegation in the Brazilian championship after last year’s promotion.
Neymar, who returned to Santos in January, was decisive for the club where he started his professional career.
In the last three rounds of the competition, Neymar scored a goal against Sport Recife in a 3-0 win, scored a hat-trick against Juventude in another 3-0 win on Wednesday and was an effective playmaker on Sunday.
Thaciano (26th and 28th minutes) and João Schmidt (60th) scored against Cruzeiro at the Vila Belmiro Stadium as Santos finished 12th with 47 points.
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Neymar played just 19 of the 38 rounds of the competition, which started in April, and scored eight goals.
«I came for this, to try to help as best I can. It’s been a tough few weeks for me,» Neymar said after the match. «I thank those who were with me to lift me up. Without them I would not have played these matches because of these injuries, this knee problem. I have to rest, and then we will have this knee operation.»
Neymar gave no further details about the knee injury or surgery. He still hopes to be included in Brazil’s final squad for the 2026 World Cup, although coach Carlo Ancelotti is yet to choose the former captain since he took charge in May.
Flamengo won their ninth Brazilian national title in midweek after a 1-0 home win against Ceará. The club from Rio de Janeiro also won the Copa Libertadores last month.
Published on December 8, 2025
