Neymar Extends Santos Contract Until 2026 Aiming For World Cup Comeback

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Santos FC forward Neymar has committed his future to the club by extending his contract until the end of 2026, a strategic move aimed at reigniting his chances of returning to the Brazil national team ahead of the next World Cup.

The 33-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club in January 2025 following a challenging period marked by injuries, has not featured for Brazil since 2023. Persistent fitness struggles had kept him off the international stage, but his renewed dedication to Santos signals a serious push to regain contention.

Despite battling physical setbacks, Neymar played through pain last season, helping Santos avoid relegation from Brazil’s top flight. He scored five goals in the final five matches, a decisive streak that secured the club’s top-tier status.

After the season, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star underwent surgery on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus, a crucial step in his recovery as he aims to force his way back into the plans of Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“Santos is my place, I’m at home,” Neymar said in a video shared on the club’s social media channels. “It’s with you that I want to achieve the dreams that are still missing.”

Ancelotti has emphasized that Neymar must be fully fit to earn a recall. In October, the coach stressed that reputation alone would not suffice, even for Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, who has 79 international goals to his name.

Neymar’s recent career has been marred by serious injuries, including a 12-month absence after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in October 2023, followed by another setback due to a muscle injury that forced him to withdraw from the national squad.

Brazil, five-time World Cup champions, are drawn in Group C, where they will face Scotland, Morocco, and Haiti. The tournament kicks off on 11 June across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.