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Brazil forward Neymar has extended his contract with Santos until the end of 2026 as he seeks to earn a World Cup call-up. The 33-year-old returned to his boyhood club in January 2025 and has not represented Brazil since 2023 amid struggles with injuries.
Neymar Extends Santos Contract Until 2026 as He Targets Brazil World Cup Recall
The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain forward played through pain to help Santos avoid relegation from Brazil’s top flight last season, scoring five times in their last five matches. Neymar then underwent surgery on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus, aiming to boost his hopes of being included in Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans this summer.
Neymar expressed his commitment to Santos in a video posted on the club’s social media, stating that “Santos is my place, I’m at home.” He told the fans that “it’s with you that I want to achieve the dreams that are still missing,” emphasising his determination to fulfil remaining ambitions at his boyhood club.
Ancelotti said in October that Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals, must be fully fit to earn a recall to the national team. The forward spent 12 months out after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in October 2023, highlighting the severity of his recent injury problems that have disrupted his international career.
Neymar was due to make his return to the national team last year after a 17-month absence but was forced to withdraw from the squad with a muscle injury. Only Cafu with 142 caps has more appearances for Brazil than Neymar’s 128 international matches, underlining his importance to the national team setup when fit and available.
Brazil will face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti in Group C at the World Cup, which begins on 11 June across Canada, Mexico and the United States. The tournament represents a crucial opportunity for Neymar to add to his international honours, having never won the World Cup despite his status as one of Brazil’s greatest ever players.
