Santos president Marcelo Teixeira expressed his desire for Neymar to remain with the Brazilian club until the 2026 World Cup, but also acknowledged that the club has financial limitations that could hinder this.
Neymar’s contract with Santos expires in two months, and he has yet to decide on the renewal offer presented by Santos, amidst reports of Inter Miami’s interest in signing him.
Teixeira stated in a press conference regarding Neymar’s future, “Neymar’s project isn’t for six months or a year, but for the 2026 World Cup. Santos knew very well how to manage Neymar and understood the magnitude of the investment made. It’s a huge investment.”
He added, “Santos and Neymar regularly assess the situation. We evaluated him upon his arrival, and that assessment isn’t the same as today. Both parties will evaluate the financial situation until the end of the year. Neymar isn’t worried about the financial situation, and Santos has its limits in this regard.”
The current situation at Santos might be a motivating factor for Neymar to leave, as the Brazilian club sits in 16th place in the league and is battling relegation.
Inter Miami, reportedly at the behest of Lionel Messi, is keen to sign Neymar in January. A reunion of the two would significantly boost their financial returns through marketing and increased popularity.
It’s worth noting that Neymar has suffered numerous injuries at Santos, which prevented him from being selected for the Brazilian national team under Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach has stated that consistent playing time is the only guarantee of Neymar’s place in the 2026 World Cup squad; otherwise, he will not be called up.
