Neymar extends Santos contract with eye on Brazil World Cup spot

Neymar returned to Santos in January 2025
Neymar returned to Santos in January 2025REUTERS / Thiago Bernardes

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.

"Santos is my place, I'm ​at home," Neymar said in a video published on the Brazilian club's social media. "It's with you that I want to achieve the ‍dreams that ‌are still missing," he added, referring to Santos' fans.

Neymar, who has long struggled with injuries, underwent successful arthroscopic ⁠surgery on his knee last month.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, Brazil'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.