The cliché has its exceptions, but this time it rings true. Neymar’s return to Santos appears doomed to failure. He’s far from reaching a satisfying conclusion to his story.
The team, collectively, sits second-to-last in the Brasileirão table, having earned just five points from nine matches—only one of which was a win. The only team doing worse is Sport Recife, who remain winless with just two points.
Adding to the disappointment, Santos were eliminated in the round of 32 of the Copa do Brasil by CRB, a team from Brazil’s Serie B. Both legs ended in draws before Santos eventually lost on penalties.
The season now feels like a desperate attempt to avoid a second relegation—a blow that would further tarnish a club that, not long ago, was reaching the finals of the Copa Libertadores. Having already suffered the first relegation in their history in 2023, a second—coinciding with Neymar’s return—would be a staggering fall from grace.
Neymar’s uncertain future
On a personal level, Neymar continues to battle the injuries that have plagued him in recent seasons. In the Copa do Brasil, he returned to the pitch after over a month out—the second injury layoff since coming back to Brazil.
He managed only 30 minutes and couldn’t prevent the team’s defeat. After the match, when asked about his future and the team’s struggles, he delivered two clear messages.
With his contract set to expire on June 30, and knowing—as he’s often admitted—that the club is enduring its darkest chapter, Neymar left his future wide open. “At this moment, I don’t know,” he said when asked about a possible renewal. A statement as uncertain as it is telling.
And with just three official matches remaining—against Vitória, Botafogo, and Fortaleza—he’s inching closer to a possible farewell.
He also offered a subtle criticism: “I know that with me on the pitch, things are different. In 20 or 25 minutes, I can make a difference. I know I can help my teammates. This is the first game I’ve come back to after a long time, but it can’t all depend on me. Everyone knows the situation we’re in. We need all the players,” he concluded. A reminder that he’s still searching for full fitness—and that the clock is ticking as decisions about his future loom ever closer.