Neymar played a pivotal role in helping Santos avoid relegation from Brazil’s Serie A on Sunday, as the club defeated Cruzeiro 3-0, while the 33-year-old forward announced he will undergo surgery on his left knee.

In the final league match of the season, Santos, the historic club famed for Pelé, secured its top-flight status, narrowly avoiding what would have been only the second relegation in the team’s history. The club had been relegated for the first time in 2023, nearly a year after the death of the legendary player.

Neymar, who had been recovering from a torn ACL suffered during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, returned to Santos in January and was instrumental in the team’s successful campaign to remain in the league. Over the last three rounds, Neymar scored against Sport Recife in a 3-0 win, netted a hat trick against Juventude in another 3-0 victory, and served as an effective playmaker in Sunday’s match.

Goals from Thaciano in the 26th and 28th minutes, and João Schmidt in the 60th, secured the win for Santos at Vila Belmiro Stadium. The club finished 12th with 47 points. Neymar appeared in only 19 of the 38 league matches, scoring eight goals.

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“I came to help in any way I could. These weeks have been very challenging,” Neymar said after the game. “I am grateful to everyone who supported me. Without them, I wouldn’t have played these matches because of my knee injuries. I need rest now, and then I will have surgery.”

Neymar did not provide further details about the injury or the procedure but remains hopeful of being included in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad, despite not being called up by coach Carlo Ancelotti since May.

Earlier this week, Flamengo secured its ninth Brazilian league title following a 1-0 win against Ceara and also claimed last month’s Copa Libertadores crown.

Source: AP