Neymar limped off the pitch after a dramatic 3-0 win over Cruzeiro on Sunday, putting his 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes on the line.
The 33-year-old has since confirmed he will undergo surgery on his left knee, putting his participation in next year’s world tournament in serious doubt.
Neymar returned to Santos in January after a stint at Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia and played a crucial role in the club’s escape from relegation at the end of the season.
In the last four league games, he scored five goals, including an incredible hat-trick against Juventud just days before the game against Cruzeiro, which saved Santos from crisis.
Neymar has not featured for Brazil since the 2023 World Cup qualifiers and missed out on the full squad under new coach Carlo Ancelotti. So to improve his World Cup chances, Neymar is reportedly turning to Brazilian physiotherapist Eduardo Santos, nicknamed “Doctor Miracle”.
Santos, known for his unconventional approach, has helped players such as Philippe Coutinho and Matheus Cunha speed their recovery from serious injuries, and Neymar will undergo a partial arthroscopic meniscectomy on his left knee, according to ESPN.
Santos will then personally oversee his rehabilitation. The plan is for Neymar to undergo treatment before Christmas, giving him around six months to return to top level fitness and prepare for possible World Cup selection.
Neymar will overtake Pele as Brazil’s all-time top scorer in September 2023, with 79 goals in 128 appearances, but he is not yet part of Ancelotti’s strategic plans.
Ancelotti’s rehabilitation has become even more intense after he became a free agent this summer, and manager Ancelotti addressed Neymar’s omission from the squad last week, stressing that selection will be based on ability rather than reputation.
“We talk about Neymar, but we also have to talk about other players,” said Ancelotti, who left Real Madrid this year.
“We have to think about Brazil, with or without Neymar, with or without other players. The final list will be drawn up after the FIFA announcement in March. We understand very well that they are very interested in Neymar. We want to be clear that it is December and the World Cup is in June.”
Ancelotti added: “I will choose the team that will play in the World Cup in May. If Neymar is in good form, if he is better than other players, he will be in the World Cup. I don’t owe anyone anything.”
Brazil take on Scotland in exciting World Cup group stage clash
After being drawn in Group C alongside Morocco and Haiti, Scotland will face Brazil in their first World Cup appearance since 1998, with their game against five-time champions Scotland scheduled for June 24 in either Miami or Atlanta.
The game will bring back memories of the 1998 Stade de France, where Scotland lost 2-1 thanks to an unfortunate own goal from Tommy Boyd, and the last friendly between the two sides in 2011 at the Emirates Stadium in London.
Brazil will open the season against Morocco on June 13th. Morocco is a North African team that reached the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022, but lost to France. Meanwhile, they will face debutant Haiti, the weaker group in their group, on June 20th.
Meanwhile, Group D for the United States includes Paraguay, Australia and the final teams of Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia and Türkiye. The FIFA World Cup finals will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
