Santos: Neymar successfully undergoes knee surgery

Tuesday 23 December 2025 - 10:30

By: Sahili Aya

Santos: Neymar successfully undergoes knee surgery

Santos FC announced on Tuesday that Neymar has successfully undergone knee surgery, marking an important step in his recovery process. The Brazilian forward was treated through an arthroscopic procedure to repair a lesion of the internal meniscus, with no complications reported.

At 33 years old, Neymar is now focused on regaining full fitness as he aims to return to international duty with Brazil ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The club confirmed that the operation was performed by Rodrigo Lasmar, the physician of the Brazilian national team, and that the player is in good condition following the intervention.

After rejoining his boyhood club in January, Neymar played a crucial role in helping Santos secure their place in Brazil’s top flight. Despite ongoing knee discomfort, he delivered a strong finish to the season, scoring five goals in the final four matches.

While Santos did not provide a precise timetable for his return, Brazilian media outlet Globo Esporte reported that his recovery period could last up to one month.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the Seleção since 2023 due to recurring injuries. National team coach Carlo Ancelotti recently emphasized that a full physical recovery would be essential for any potential return ahead of the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.