The Brazilian played through a problem in the club’s final few games to help steer them away from relegation
Neymar will undergo knee surgery after playing through pain to help Santos avoid relegation from Brazil’s Serie A.
The 33-year-old played throughout his side’s 3-0 home win over Cruzeiro on Sunday, securing the club’s top-flight survival.
Speaking after the game, Neymar confirmed he had been struggling physically but delayed medical treatment to support his boyhood side.
“I need to rest and then I will have this knee surgery,” he said, without giving further details on the recovery timeline.
Neymar injury: Santos run-in ‘tough’
The forward rejoined Santos in January following an injury-disrupted spell at Saudi Pro League team Al Hilal, with whom he made seven appearances across 18 months.
His return proved crucial in the final weeks of the campaign, scoring five goals in the last four games to help lift the club out of danger.
“I came for this, to try to help in the best way I can,” Neymar said. “These have been tough weeks for me. I thank those who were with me to lift me up. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have played these matches because of this knee problem.”
Will Neymar play for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup?
Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 games but injuries have kept him out of international football since October 2023.
In October this year, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar must return to full fitness and produce consistent form if he is to be considered for next summer’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.