After nearly eight weeks out, including surgery and countless hours of rehabilitation, Neymar is closing in on his long-awaited return for Santos FC. Pending final tests, the Brazilian star is expected to be included in the squad for Santos’ next match against Associação Esportiva Velo Clube Rioclarense in the Campeonato Paulista.
Neymar rejoined team training at the beginning of the February and has been making good progress. Santos have carefully managed the recovery timeline, eager to avoid a re-occurrence after a string of injuries in recent years. For Neymar, the next six months will be a race against time to get back to his best condition and force his way into Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. With a final World Cup appearance hanging in the balance, his health is the priority.
“Hello, Santos fans! I’m here once again to ask you to fight for us in our stadium. Do what you do best, which is to support our team until the very end. From start to finish. I’m counting on you this Sunday. I hope we can not only have a great party off the field, but also put on a great show. Let’s give our all, our blood, to play the best match possible,” Neymar said in a video posted on the club’s social media.
Santos has felt Neymar’s absence at the start of this season. Ten matches into the new campaign, Santos have fallen into the relegation places in the national championship with a dismal record. Last season the team needed a streak of good form from a resurgent Neymar to save them from relegation.
Neymar’s return to the Santos team will give Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti a decision to make. The Brazil boss will announce the squad for friendlies against France and Croatia in early March, giving him the chance to take a close look at Neymar. With little over a month to prove his fitness, Neymar has no time to spare.
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