Santos coach gives optimistic injury update on Neymar’s return from knee surgery

Neymar was one of the defining figures of last season in the Brasileirão, delivering strong performances despite a knee injury and eventual surgery. Still in the recovery process, Santos head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda gave an optimistic injury update on the Brazilian star and even suggested a rough timeline for his return.

Santos has already started their season, starting with the Campeonato Paulista before the BrasileirãoBrazil’s top division. Still, fans of both the Peixe and the Brazilian national teams are eagerly awaiting Neymar’s return to the pitch.

Vojvoda spoke directly about Neymar’s progress during his post-match press conference following the draw against Corinthians: “We’ll have it soon. Weeks or days – no more than that. It works well. I talked to him and he was very tired because he was doing double sessions.“

Now that Santos is ready to play six games in the next 21 daysincluding the start of the Brasileirão, the Argentine coach raised expectations around Neymar’s comeback. “We have a lot of games in a short time, but I see that Neymar is very committed to being ready as quickly as possible and helping his boyhood club”, he concluded.

Neymar underwent arthroscopic surgery on December 22 to address a meniscus injury and missed the team’s preseason in early 2026. As Vojvoda noted, the forward has completed double training sessions under the supervision of his personal physiotherapist, Rafael Martini. accelerating a recovery initially expected before mid-February.

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According to a Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, Neymar could return in one of Santos’ upcoming derby matches against São Paulo. The first meeting, a Campeonato Paulista clash on January 31, is considered unlikely February 4 Brasileirão Matchday 2 in Vila Belmiro is seen as the ideal scenario for Neymar to gradually regain match fitness.

Neymar loses key player at Santos

After avoiding relegation and securing qualification for the Copa Sudamericana, The Santos board has focused on strengthening the team around Neymar with signings such as Gabriel Barbosaknown as “Gabigol.” Ahead of the 2026 season, the Fish suffered a significant setback when one of their top young players completed the move to the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur have officially announced the signing of left back Souza from Santos. The 19-year-old had emerged as one of the club’s brightest talents and one of the most promising talents in Brazilian football. €15 million (about $18 million).