Key Takeaways:
- Neymar risked further injury by playing the full 90 minutes on Sunday despite a torn meniscus, as Santos claimed a 3-0 win over Cruzeiro to avoid relegation
- He surpassed Pele by two goals atop Brazil’s all-time scoring charts, but now requires knee surgery, jeopardising his place at the 2026 World Cup
- Santos remained unbeaten in their last five matches, with Neymar contributing five goals and one assist during the decisive run
Neymar’s Determination Keeps Santos Up
Neymar, aged 33, demonstrated remarkable commitment by completing the entire match against Cruzeiro with a torn meniscus last Sunday, helping his boyhood club Santos preserve their top-tier status with a commanding 3-0 victory. Going against medical advice, the ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward took to the field despite a serious knee problem, a decision that now necessitates surgical intervention and places his international future in doubt.
🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: After avoiding relegation with Santos, Neymar Jr has confirmed in an interview that he will now undergo knee surgery. pic.twitter.com/2vq5Qoc6ch
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) December 7, 2025
Emotional Scenes and Crucial Contributions
After the final whistle, Neymar sank to the turf as supporters serenaded him in recognition of his perseverance. The forward stated: “I came for this, to try to help in the best way I can. 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. I need to rest and then I will have this knee surgery.”
Having suffered their first ever relegation in 2023, Santos were forced to battle for survival this campaign. Neymar was pivotal during this decisive period, recording five goals and one assist in the last five unbeaten matches for the club. His hat-trick against Juventude last week stood out as a demonstration of his enduring quality and cemented his legendary status with Santos.
| Final 5 Matches | Neymar Goals | Neymar Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 1 |
Career Milestones and Potential World Cup Absence
Neymar’s career trajectory has been marked by rapid success with Santos as a teenager, dazzling stints in Europe, and a less prolific period at Al-Hilal, where he appeared only seven times over 18 months following his transfer to Saudi Arabia. In January, he made his highly anticipated return to Santos. His efforts this season helped the club avoid a repeat of last year’s relegation, albeit at great personal cost.
Now two goals clear of Pele atop the national team’s all-time scoring list, Neymar remains a crucial figure for Brazil, amassing 79 goals in 128 appearances. Nonetheless, his need for surgery now casts uncertainty over his participation in the 2026 World Cup. Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti reaffirmed his stance, stating: “If Neymar deserves to be there, if he’s in good form, he will play at the World Cup, end of story. We have to think about Brazil, which may or may not have Neymar.”
