Neymar Jr. officially undergoes serious and extensive knee surgery in a bid to resolve the issues that have plagued his career.
The 33-year-old icon rejoined his boyhood club in January 2025 post-Al-Hilal struggles, instantly becoming the talisman in a promotion-chasing campaign that teetered on relegation’s edge.
Playing through excruciating pain in the season’s dying embers—ignoring medical pleas—he delivered clutch moments, scoring four goals and an assist across three pivotal matches to secure survival and Copa Sudamericana qualification.
With his contract expiring month-end, extension talks buzz amid World Cup dreams under Carlo Ancelotti, who demands club rhythm.
Santos president Marcelo Teixeira eyes continuity through 2026, valuing Neymar’s on-off-field magnetism despite limited 28 outings (11 goals, four assists).
As physio Rafael Martini orchestrates rehab, global eyes fix on his resurgence, a testament to unyielding passion in football’s brutal arena.
Neymar underwent surgery on a meniscus tear, which confirmed the Brazil star successfully had arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday in Belo Horizonte by national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, treating a left-knee medial meniscus lesion, as per the official Santos X page.
Discharged swiftly, he’ll rehab, aiming for a late-January/early-February return, potentially for January 22 Campeonato Paulista derby vs. Corinthians after clashes with Novorizontino, Palmeiras, and Guarani.
The four-week timeline keeps 2026 World Cup hopes alive, aligning with Santos’ extension plans. Neymar’s heroics—defying pain for survival—cement legend status, though recurring woes post-ACL raise doubts.
Ancelotti’s regular-play edict pressures consistency; Teixeira affirms: “Neymar’s project is World Cup-bound.” Offseason knife work prioritizes full fitness, bridging Santos’s savior role to international redemption.
Brazil monitors closely—Lasmar’s involvement signals national priority. Neymar’s journey embodies resilience: from Barca magic to Saudi shadows, now Santos salvation. Come back stronger, the king vows.
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