Santos Football Club has received highly encouraging news regarding the recovery of its marquee player, Neymar, with the Brazilian star making significant strides in his rehabilitation from left knee surgery and edging closer to a first-team return.
Club officials, the coaching staff, and the player himself have all signaled that his comeback could be just days away, providing a major boost for the club’s 2026 campaign and reigniting discussions about his potential role for Brazil in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Neymar underwent a successful arthroscopic procedure on his left meniscus on December 22, 2025, after valiantly playing through pain to help Santos secure their place in Brazil’s top division last season. His recovery, meticulously managed by his personal physiotherapist Rafael Martini, has recently accelerated with the player undertaking demanding double training sessions.
“I spoke with him, and he was very tired because he’s doing double sessions,” Santos head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda confirmed, noting the player’s intense commitment.
This intensive work has now progressed to the crucial “physical transition” phase at the club’s CT Rei Pelé training center, marking the final stage before Neymar can resume full training with the ball alongside his teammates.
While the club has deliberately avoided setting a definitive public return date to ensure a careful reintegration, the timeline has shortened considerably.
“We’ll have him soon. Weeks or days, no more than that,” Coach Vojvoda stated optimistically in a recent press conference. Club president Marcelo Teixeira echoed this sentiment, telling reporters, “I’m not sure if he’ll return against Sao Paulo, there’s no set date… but I believe it’s coming soon”.
The most anticipated potential return fixture is the Brasileirão clash against arch-rivals São Paulo on February 4 at the Vila Belmiro stadium. An earlier appearance in the Campeonato Paulista derby on January 31 is viewed as less likely.
Neymar’s return cannot come soon enough for Santos, which has navigated a mixed start to 2026 with one win, two draws, and one defeat in his absence and faces a congested calendar of state and national league matches. The player himself is eagerly anticipating his comeback.
“Very anxious to return. Just getting close to the pitch, the anxiety increases. But I am happy with the evolution. Now it’s about coming back well, 100%,” Neymar shared while attending a recent Santos match.
Beyond the immediate impact on Santos, Neymar’s accelerated recovery reopens the compelling narrative of his international future. Having not played for Brazil since suffering an ACL injury in October 2023, the national team’s all-time leading scorer is determined to force his way into Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Former Brazil international Kleberson recently emphasized Neymar’s unique value, stating, “He is the most talented player that we have in Brazil… the things that Neymar can do with a ball, it makes it scary to mark him”.
A successful and sustained return with Santos in the coming months is essential for Neymar to demonstrate the fitness and form required to earn a Seleção recall.