Reports suggest Neymar set to prolong Santos contract

A source involved in the discussions has informed AFP that Neymar has consented to extend his agreement with Santos through to the close of 2026.

Santos, the club once home to Pele, shared an enigmatic clip on social platforms on Wednesday, featuring a bird's eye perspective of their Vila Belmiro ground alongside the date of 31 December 2026, and the caption: "The time is coming". Notably, there was no reference to Neymar, whose original deal concluded at the stroke of midnight on 31 December.

His return to the boyhood team in his debut campaign was marred by various injuries, yet the 33 year old netted four goals, contributing to victories in the concluding trio of matches that lifted Santos clear of the drop zone on the season's last day in December.

Post campaign, he had surgery to mend a torn meniscus in his left knee. Santos announced on 22 December that the procedure, carried out by the doctor for Brazil's international side, proved successful.

Neymar, with stints at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, holds the record as Brazil's leading marksman with 79 strikes, surpassing Pele by two.

He has been absent from international duty since an October 2023 knee issue during a clash with Uruguay.