Brazilian football witnessed one of its most emotional redemption stories as Neymar delivered a series of heroic performances to save Santos from relegation and secure Copa Sudamericana qualification for the 2026 season. The 33-year-old superstar, playing through a painful meniscus injury that will require surgery, scored five crucial goals in the final four matches of the Brasileirão Série A campaign, transforming what appeared to be an inevitable disaster into a miraculous escape.
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From Relegation Nightmare to Copa Sudamericana Dream
Santos finished the 2025 Brasileirão season in 12th place with 47 points, a position that not only secured their survival in Brazil’s top flight but also guaranteed participation in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana—South America’s equivalent of the Europa League. The dramatic turnaround came after Santos found themselves languishing in the relegation zone with just a handful of matches remaining, staring down the barrel of what would have been only the second relegation in the club’s storied 113-year history.
The season finale against Cruzeiro on December 7, 2025, at Vila Belmiro provided the perfect stage for Santos to complete their remarkable escape. Despite Neymar playing through significant knee problems, the team delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over third-placed Cruzeiro, with Thaciano scoring a brace in the 26th and 28th minutes before João Schmidt sealed the win in the second half. The result lifted Santos to safety and sparked scenes of unbridled joy among the 20,000 fans packed into the stadium.
Neymar’s Hat-Trick Heroics Against Juventude
The pivotal moment in Santos’ survival story came on December 4, 2025, when Neymar produced a performance for the ages against Juventude. Despite carrying a meniscus injury that doctors had recommended for immediate surgery, the Brazilian icon scored a stunning hat-trick in just 17 minutes during the second half, single-handedly lifting Santos out of the relegation zone with a 3-0 victory.
Neymar opened his account in the 56th minute following a quick counter-attack, showcasing the pace and finishing ability that has defined his illustrious career. Less than 10 minutes later, he struck again with a precise finish from an Igor Vinícius cross. The hat-trick was completed in dramatic fashion, cementing one of the most important individual performances in Santos’ recent history. It marked Neymar’s first hat-trick since April 2022, when he last netted three goals for Paris Saint-Germain against Clermont.
Playing Through Pain for His Boyhood Club
Sources confirmed that Neymar had been playing with a meniscus injury in his left knee that would typically require immediate arthroscopic surgery. Medical staff at Santos implemented a conservative treatment plan to manage the pain, allowing the forward to continue playing through the final crucial matches. The decision to delay surgery proved instrumental in Santos’ survival, though it came at considerable personal cost to Neymar.
Following the season-ending victory over Cruzeiro, where Neymar played the full 90 minutes, the emotional forward confirmed his plans for surgery. “I came for this, to try to help the best way I can,” Neymar told reporters. “These have been tough weeks for me. 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.”
The sight of Neymar breaking down in tears at the final whistle became one of the most powerful images in world football, capturing the emotional toll of carrying his boyhood club through their darkest period while battling significant physical adversity.
Statistical Impact in the Final Stretch
Neymar’s contributions in the closing stages of the Brasileirão season were nothing short of extraordinary. In addition to his hat-trick against Juventude, he also registered a goal and an assist in Santos’ crucial 3-0 victory over Sport Recife on November 29, 2025. In that match, Neymar not only found the back of the net but also delivered a precise corner kick that João Schmidt converted with a glancing header.
Over the final four matches of the season, Neymar accumulated five goals and one assist, accounting for half of his total league output for the campaign. His eight goals in the 2025 Brasileirão Série A, combined with one assist, came despite injuries and setbacks that severely limited his availability throughout the year. The timing of his peak form proved crucial, as Santos desperately needed every goal and every moment of inspiration their returning hero could provide.
The January Return and Difficult Campaign
Neymar’s second spell at Santos began in January 2025 following the termination of his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. The Brazilian international had endured a torturous 18 months in Saudi Arabia, playing only seven matches and scoring once after suffering a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury in October 2023 while representing Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
His return to Vila Belmiro was celebrated with a lavish ceremony attended by approximately 20,000 fans, complete with fireworks, local singers, and an electronic sign declaring “The prince is back.” Neymar signed an initial six-month contract that would take him through the end of 2025, with the understanding that his primary project was regaining fitness and form ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, the season proved far more challenging than anyone anticipated. Santos struggled throughout the campaign, spending significant periods flirting with the relegation zone. Neymar himself battled recurring muscular injuries that prevented him from making the consistent impact the club desperately needed. There were frustrating moments, including a November match against Flamengo where Neymar was substituted while Santos trailed 3-2, leading to visible frustration from the forward as he complained to manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda about the decision.
Copa Sudamericana Qualification Significance
Santos’ 12th-place finish carried enormous significance beyond simply avoiding relegation. The position guaranteed one of Brazil’s six berths in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana, joining São Paulo, Grêmio, RB Bragantino, Atlético Mineiro, and Corinthians in South America’s secondary club competition. For a club of Santos’ stature—eight-time Brazilian champions, three-time Copa Libertadores winners, and the team that produced Pelé—merely qualifying for the Sudamericana represents a modest achievement. However, given the precarious position they found themselves in, continental football of any kind feels like a triumph.
The Copa Sudamericana will begin in March 2026, with group stage matches scheduled throughout the first half of the year. The tournament culminates with the final in Barranquilla, Colombia, on November 21, 2026. For Santos, participation offers not just the prestige of international competition but also crucial revenue that will help stabilize the club’s finances after a turbulent season.
Contract Uncertainty and World Cup Ambitions
Neymar’s contract with Santos expires at the end of December 2025, creating significant uncertainty about his immediate future. Club president Marcelo Teixeira has expressed confidence about securing Neymar’s continuation, emphasizing that the project has always been focused on helping the forward reach the 2026 World Cup in optimal condition. “Neymar’s project is the 2026 World Cup,” Teixeira stated. “If we find common ground, his continuity will be confirmed.”
However, the upcoming knee surgery complicates negotiations considerably. Recovery timelines remain unclear, and Santos must carefully evaluate both the financial implications of retaining their highest-paid player and Neymar’s physical condition following the procedure. Sources suggest that any contract extension will come with financial limitations, as Santos operates under strict budgetary constraints.
Brazil’s national team manager Carlo Ancelotti has maintained that Neymar must prove his fitness and form to earn selection for the World Cup. While the legendary coach acknowledged in October 2025 that “doors to the Brazil national team will always be open for Neymar as long as he remains in good physical condition,” recent comments suggest the squad for next summer’s tournament is nearly finalized. Ancelotti stated that “we are close to what could be the final list,” raising serious doubts about whether Neymar can recover from surgery, regain match fitness, and convince selectors of his readiness in time.
Historical Context and Emotional Weight
The emotional significance of Santos’ survival cannot be overstated. The club last suffered relegation in 2023, ending a remarkable 111-year run in Brazil’s top division—a period that encompassed the Pelé era, multiple Copa Libertadores triumphs, and their status as FIFA’s fifth most successful club of the 20th century. That 2023 relegation shocked Brazilian football and led to wholesale changes within the club’s administration and playing squad.
Santos earned promotion back to Serie A after just one season in the second division, but the 2025 campaign proved extraordinarily difficult. The threat of back-to-back relegations—dropping to Serie B in consecutive appearances—would have represented an existential crisis for one of South America’s most prestigious institutions. Neymar’s decision to return home specifically to prevent such a catastrophe added layers of emotional resonance to every match he played.
The scenes at Vila Belmiro following the final whistle against Cruzeiro captured the magnitude of what had been achieved. Neymar, overwhelmed by emotion, wept openly as teammates and fans celebrated around him. For a player who had conquered Europe with Barcelona, won numerous domestic titles with Paris Saint-Germain, and represented Brazil at three World Cups, saving his boyhood club from relegation while playing through serious injury may ultimately rank among his most meaningful achievements.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Santos now face critical decisions in the coming weeks. Beyond resolving Neymar’s contractual situation, the club must build a squad capable of competing more effectively in the 2026 Brasileirão while also mounting a credible Copa Sudamericana campaign. Manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda extracted maximum effort from his players during the final stretch of 2025, but the season’s struggles exposed significant weaknesses that must be addressed during the transfer window.
For Neymar, the immediate priority is undergoing successful knee surgery and beginning rehabilitation with the 2026 World Cup firmly in mind. At 33 years old, and having missed well over 100 matches for club and country since the start of 2023 due to various injuries, his body is showing the accumulated wear of two decades at football’s highest level. Whether he can recover sufficiently to earn Ancelotti’s trust remains one of Brazilian football’s most compelling storylines heading into the World Cup year.
Interest from other clubs, including speculation about a potential move to Inter Miami to reunite with Lionel Messi, adds another dimension to his future. However, Neymar’s emotional connection to Santos and his stated commitment to helping the club achieve stability suggest he may yet sign an extension despite the uncertainty.
A Legacy-Defining Moment
Regardless of what happens next, Neymar’s willingness to play through serious injury to rescue Santos from relegation has cemented his legendary status at the club. His first spell from 2009-2013 produced 225 matches and established him as one of world football’s brightest young talents. This second chapter, though shorter and more turbulent, may ultimately be remembered with equal fondness—not for the brilliance of youth, but for the courage and commitment of a player sacrificing personal comfort to save the institution that made him who he is.
Santos’ survival and Copa Sudamericana qualification represent far more than avoiding sporting disaster. They preserve the club’s dignity, protect its future, and validate Neymar’s decision to return home when he could have pursued more lucrative or competitive options elsewhere. As the Brazilian icon prepares for surgery and contemplates his next steps, Santos and their supporters can exhale knowing that their beloved club lives to fight another day—thanks in no small part to the heroics of their returning prince.
Read More: Lionel Messi on 2026 World Cup: “I Hope I Can Be There, I’d Love to Be There”
FAQs
How many goals did Neymar score in Santos’ final matches to avoid relegation?
Neymar scored five goals in the final four matches of the 2025 Brasileirão season, including a hat-trick against Juventude and another goal in the victory over Sport Recife that proved crucial to Santos’ survival.
What position did Santos finish in the 2025 Brasileirão?
Santos finished in 12th place with 47 points, which not only secured their survival in Serie A but also qualified them for the 2026 Copa Sudamericana group stage.
Will Neymar undergo surgery for his knee injury?
Yes, Neymar confirmed he will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to address a meniscus injury that he played through during Santos’ final matches of the season.
When does Neymar’s contract with Santos expire?
Neymar’s current contract with Santos expires at the end of December 2025, and negotiations about a potential extension are complicated by his upcoming knee surgery and recovery timeline.
What is the Copa Sudamericana and why is qualification important for Santos?
The Copa Sudamericana is South America’s secondary club competition, equivalent to the Europa League. Qualification provides Santos with continental football, international prestige, and crucial revenue after a difficult season that saw them flirt with relegation.
