Brazil’s all-time leading scorer Neymar Jr. has committed to Santos for another year as he steps up his mission to be fully fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While teammates enjoy their offseason break, the forward continues daily training, determined to return stronger after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
Recovery Under the Spotlight
Brazilian outlet Globo reports that Neymar is entering a crucial phase of rehabilitation. The former Barcelona star recently shared training photos showing him working closely with physical coach Ricardo Rosa, with visible bandaging still on his knee.
“My goal is to be 100% ready, not just to play, but to compete at the highest level again,” Neymar wrote in a post that reflected both determination and patience.
He underwent surgery on December 22 and has been splitting his sessions between Santos’ Rei Pelé Training Center and a private gym. The final phase of rehab began this week, with hopes of rejoining the squad in early February.
Ancelotti’s Clear Message
Neymar is expected to start full-intensity training in the final week of January and could feature in the Brazilian championship as early as February, possibly against São Paulo on February 4, depending on match fitness.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti offered a measured stance on the superstar’s World Cup hopes, saying,
“𝑰𝒇 𝑵𝒆𝒚𝒎𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒅. 𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒍 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑵𝒆𝒚𝒎𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑵𝒆𝒚𝒎𝒂𝒓.”
After leaving Al Hilal in 2024 and returning to boyhood club Santos, Neymar battled multiple injuries but played through pain to help his team avoid relegation. With the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada approaching, his focus is now firmly on earning a place in Ancelotti’s final Brazil squad.
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