SOCCER: Neymar undergoes successful knee surgery

Neymar will undergo knee surgery after playing through pain to help Santos avoid relegation, casting fresh doubt on his availability for next year’s World Cup. The 33-year-old winger made a decisive impact in the season run-in but faces an uncertain recovery timeline.

REUTERS

December 23, 2025

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Santos v Cruzeiro - Estadio Urbano Caldeira, Santos, Brazil - December 7, 2025 Santos' Neymar celebrates after the match REUTERS/Thiago Bernardes/File Photo

Thiago Bernardes/Reuters

Neymar has undergone successful arthroscopic surgery on his knee, his club Santos said on Monday, as the winger bids to get back to full fitness and earn a place in the Brazil squad for next year's World Cup.

The 33-year-old returned to his childhood club Santos in January and played a key role in their survival in the Brazilian top flight, playing through the pain and scoring five times in their last four matches

In a statement on Monday, Santos said the surgery was performed by the Brazilian national team's doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.

"An arthroscopy was performed to treat a medial meniscus injury. The surgery was a success, and the athlete is doing well," they added.

Santos did not provide a timeline for his return, though Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte reported his recovery would take up to a month.

Neymar, Brazil's leading goalscorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the five-times World Cup winners since 2023 due to a succession of injuries.

In October, national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti said he must be fit if he is to earn a recall to the squad for the June 11 to July 19 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Brazil will face Scotland, 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco and Haiti in Group C.

-Aadi Nair/Reuters