Overview
- The 33-year-old started against Sport Recife, scored the opener and assisted another in a 3-0 home win that moved Santos to 15th in Série A.
- Brazilian outlets report a meniscus tear in his left knee with doctors recommending arthroscopic surgery that would likely sideline him for about a month.
- ESPN Brasil reported he trained and played contrary to medical advice, while Neymar said post-match that returning was a collaborative decision with club doctors.
- Santos coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda and president Marcelo Teixeira described his inclusion as planned and dependent on medical assessments during the relegation fight.
- The treatment call now affects his availability for the remaining fixtures and his ability to meet Carlo Ancelotti’s fitness timeline for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad.