In a strategic move in the 2026 season, the Santos board, led by football director Alexandre Mattos and coach Cuca, organized a meeting with Neymar and his agent. The central agenda aimed to establish a timetable for the striker’s reintegration into the team, in a post-World Cup context. This meeting was considered essential to plan the player’s return.
Discussions between the club and the player’s entourage were scheduled for the 7th and 8th, a Tuesday and Wednesday. Despite the importance of the star’s presence, the Santos leadership did not treat the matter with the highest priority at that time.
This approach reflected the sensitivity of the association in relation to the moment experienced by the athlete. Neymar was in the emotional recovery phase after the elimination of the Brazilian team in the round of 16 of the World Cup, an aspect that directly impacted his readjustment.
Santos’ strategy for Neymar’s return to the squad
The management’s main objective was to structure the number 10’s schedule for the interseason period. Unlike the other players, Neymar did not have access to the mandatory 15 days of rest, as he remained in the United States with the national team delegation.
The expectation was that the striker would have a few days of rest before returning to CT Rei Pelé. Coach Cuca, after Santos’ convincing victory against União São João in a friendly on Saturday (4), publicly commented on the player’s situation.
Performance projections and Santos’ situation in the competition
“Neymar has a contractual relationship that runs until the end of December. If there are no setbacks, his return is certain,” said the coach. That season, the striker had accumulated six goals and four assists in 15 matches, being selected as a starter in 14 of them.
Before the World Cup break, Santos was in 15th place in the Brazilian Championship, with 21 points. Furthermore, the team continued to be active in other competitions, with a guaranteed place in the Copa Sudamericana playoffs and the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil.
