Neymar has committed his future to Santos by signing a contract extension that will keep him at the Brazilian club through 2026.
The forward announced the news himself on Tuesday via the team’s social media platforms.
The 33-year-old spoke fondly of his emotional journey back to where his career began.
He said: “2025 was a special and challenging year for me — a time of joy and of overcoming obstacles that I was only able to face thanks to your love.”
He added: “Santos is my place. Here I am at home, safe and happy. And it is with you that I want to achieve the rest of my dreams.”
The Brazilian star’s return to his childhood club in January 2025 proved far from straightforward, with persistent injury problems hampering his first year back.
Despite these physical setbacks, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker played a vital role in keeping Santos in the top division of Brazilian football.
His contribution proved particularly decisive during the campaign’s closing stages, when he netted five goals across the final five matches to help secure their survival.
Neymar could yet feature for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup | PA
Throughout the season, Neymar managed 11 goals in 34 appearances for the club, demonstrating his enduring quality even while battling through discomfort on the pitch.
The Brazilian underwent surgery on his left knee in late December, with Santos confirming on the 22nd that the procedure to repair a damaged meniscus had been successful.
This operation forms part of Neymar’s strategy to force his way back into contention for Brazil’s World Cup squad this summer.
National team manager Carlo Ancelotti has indicated on multiple occasions that the forward remains under consideration for selection, provided he can demonstrate full fitness.
The World Cup draw took place in Washington | GETTY
Neymar has been absent from international duty since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during a World Cup qualifying fixture in October 2023, spending 12 months on the sidelines recovering from that injury.
He was poised to make his international comeback last year following a 17-month absence but was compelled to withdraw from the squad due to a muscle problem.
Brazil will compete in Group C at the tournament, which kicks off on June 11 across venues in Canada, Mexico and the United States, facing Scotland, Morocco and Haiti.
The forward boasts a remarkable international record, having scored 79 goals for his country, making him Brazil’s all-time leading marksman.
Neymar and Brazil will be hoping to go all the way at the World Cup next summer
| PA
Only legendary right-back Cafu, with 142 appearances, has represented the five-time World Cup winners more frequently than Neymar’s 128 caps.
Brazil were drawn in Group C for the 2026 competition and will play against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.
The team will begin its campaign against Morocco at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Saturday, June 13, with a 6:00 PM Eastern Time kick-off.
Their second match is scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2026, taking place at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a start time of 9:00 PM Eastern Time.
The final group-stage match will be against Scotland at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, also at 6:00 PM Eastern Time.
