Brazilian superstar Neymar will undergo knee surgery after pushing through injury to help Santos avoid relegation with a decisive 3–0 victory over Cruzeiro on Sunday, deepening uncertainty over his availability for next year’s World Cup.
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The 33-year-old returned to Santos — the club where he began his career — in January following a spell in Saudi Arabia. Despite fitness struggles, he played a pivotal role in the team’s late-season survival, scoring five goals in the final four matches of the Brazilian league. He featured in only 20 of the club’s 38 games this season.
“I came for this — to help in any way I can. These have been tough weeks for me,” Neymar told reporters. “If it weren’t for the people supporting me, I wouldn’t have been able to play because of the injuries and this knee problem. I need rest, and then I will undergo surgery.”
Neymar did not disclose details about the procedure or provide a recovery timeline.
The forward has not played for the Brazilian national team in two years due to recurring injuries. In October, head coach Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar would need to regain full fitness to be considered for selection for the 2025 World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
