<figure id="attachment_3251105" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3251105" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3251105" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/c55fa5be-neymar.jpg" alt="Neymar" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3251105" class="wp-caption-text">Neymar, who has long struggled with injuries, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his knee last month. (EPA Images pic)</figcaption></figure>
SAO PAULO: Neymar has agreed to extend his contract with Santos until the end of 2026, the Brazilian club said on Tuesday, as he maintains hopes of a World Cup call-up despite recent injuries.
The 33-year-old forward returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 and played a key role in their survival in the Brazilian top flight, scoring five times in their last five matches.
&#8220;Santos is my place, I&#8217;m at home,&#8221; Neymar said in a video published on the Brazilian club&#8217;s social media. &#8220;It&#8217;s with you that I want to achieve the dreams that are still missing,&#8221; he added, referring to Santos&#8217; fans.
Neymar, who has long struggled with injuries, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his knee last month.
The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain star, Brazil&#8217;s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the five-time World Cup winners since 2023. Manager Carlo Ancelotti said in October he must be fully fit to earn a recall.
Brazil will face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti in Group C of the World Cup, running from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

MatchPoint Times

Neymar extends Santos deal through 2026, eyeing World Cup return

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