SAO PAULO, Brazil — Brazilian forward Neymar has undergone a successful operation on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus, his club Santos confirmed on Monday.
The 33-year-old endured a difficult campaign with the Brazilian side, playing through pain for much of the season as Santos battled to avoid relegation from Brazil’s top flight.
According to the club, the procedure was an arthroscopic surgery performed by Brazil’s national team doctor, who has previously operated on Neymar for a foot fracture and the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament he suffered during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.
Santos said the forward is expected to require a recovery period of around one month before returning to training, depending on his rehabilitation progress.
Neymar’s contract with Santos is set to expire at the end of the year, though negotiations are ongoing over a possible extension. The club has not disclosed details of the talks, but the player’s recovery timeline could influence discussions over his future.
Despite his injury struggles, Neymar remained a key presence during Santos’ relegation fight, offering leadership and experience as the club secured survival in the Brazilian Serie A.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has not featured for Brazil in more than two years but is hopeful of returning to international duty.
He is aiming to regain full fitness in time to be considered by head coach Carlo Ancelotti as Brazil build towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Neymar remains Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, though recurring injuries have limited his appearances in recent seasons, raising questions over his long-term availability at both club and international level.