Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior and Santos have turned their season around in the last three games, with Santos finishing 12th with 47 points, earning a Copa Sudamericana over Cruzeiro on the last day of the 2025 Brasileirão Série A.
Thaciano scored a quick brace in the 26th and 28th minutes, with J. Schmidt adding a third after the hour.
Neymar, back at his boyhood club after stints abroad, tallied five goals and an assist in his final four games despite doctors urging surgery.
On November 25th, Neymar suffers a knee injury. Doctors strongly recommend surgery, but he rejects it to play the final three games… Santos are in the relegation zone, sitting in 17th place.
Not only did Neymar played with a tear in his left knee meniscus, he also played through an injury on his right quad or thigh which was wrapped up.
He prioritized Santos, refusing to sit out, and his efforts—including a 17-minute hat-trick against Juventude—pulled them from the drop zone.
Not only have they escaped relegation, but their form has propelled them up the table and into a position to qualify for the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Group Stages
Post-match, he spoke of needing rest before deciding on his future as his contract ends December 31.
“Will I stay at Santos? I don’t know. I seriously don’t know. I said to wait for these games, to wait for the end of the league.
“Now I want to rest for at least a week, go on a trip, forget football & then I will think. But obviously my heart is always Santos.
“I will always leave Santos in first place. But we will see what is best for everyone.” The captain stated
