Neymar's future is decided

The Brazilian star will continue to be with Santos until December 2025.

This is considered a strategic move for both sides when Neymar and Santos are both in a difficult period. However, the new contract does not include an automatic extension clause until June 2026 as the former PSG player originally wanted.

That means the two sides will have to sit down and negotiate again at the end of this year, if they want to extend their relationship for another half season, when the 2026 World Cup is about to start.

Neymar was given more time to prove himself.

Since returning to Santos, Neymar’s career has not really taken off. He has only played 12 games, scored 3 goals and had 3 assists, but more worryingly, he has only played 181 minutes in the Brazilian National Championship.

Two injuries to his left thigh and a bout of Covid-19 forced the 33-year-old star to miss 10 matches, and during that time, Santos fell deep in the rankings, facing the risk of relegation.

However, both Neymar and Santos are betting big on each other. The club needs a leader who can turn the season around, while Neymar needs an ideal environment to recover, regain fitness and form to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which could be his last tournament at the international level.

That's why Neymar turned down an offer from Fluminense to play in the FIFA Club World Cup. "I feel fine physically, but I still need more time to get back to my best form. I'm 100% fit, but I'm not at the peak I used to be. So I chose to stay and train and improve," Neymar shared.

This is a pivotal moment for both Neymar and Santos. If he can shine in the final stages of the year, a place in the Brazilian national team in 2026 is entirely possible. Conversely, if injuries continue to haunt him, it is very likely that his peak career will end quietly.

For Santos, keeping Neymar at least until the end of the year helps them maintain their appeal and hope of staying in the league, but at the same time puts great pressure on finances and confidence.

Source: https://znews.vn/tuong-lai-cua-neymar-duoc-dinh-doat-post1563467.html