'Neymar likely to stay,' says Santos president

Marcelo Teixeira stated this Sunday, after the 2-2 draw with Botafogo at Nilton Santos , that the tendency is for Neymar to remain at the São Paulo club. However, the Peixe president emphasized focusing on the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship.

“Santos is focused on the competition. Every game is a final. As it was approached today. The contact with Neymar's father is constant and ongoing. We did not discuss the renewal this week. At the right moment, we will evaluate this situation. The tendency is for Neymar to stay,” he said.

“The project for Neymar's return is not for six months or even a year. The return was aimed at next year's World Cup. For Santos and for Brazil. We will evaluate, analyze the financial issues, the player's technical conditions... but today the focus is on the Brasileirão . There has been no renewal talk for now,” he concluded.

Neymar joined Santos in January this year. The current contract, signed at the end of June, is valid until the end of 2025. He has played 21 matches in the alvinegra jersey, with six goals and three assists.

Neymar has not played since the match against Atlético-MG on September 14. The star was diagnosed with a rectus femoris muscle injury in his right thigh on the 19th of the same month. The attacking midfielder started running on the field at the end of this week but has not yet begun physical transition.

Santos has nine more matches to play in 2025, all in the Brazilian Championship. Peixe hopes to have the star back as soon as possible, as they are fighting to avoid a second relegation to Série B.

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With the draw against Botafogo , Santos remains in 16th place , now with 32 points , one more than Vitória, who lost to Corinthians and opens the relegation zone.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.