Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. has reportedly agreed to extend his contract with boyhood club Santos FC until the end of 2026, according to multiple sources close to the negotiations.
The 33-year-old forward’s previous deal with the club expired on December 31, 2025, but Santos hinted at a renewal with a cryptic social media post showing the date December 31, 2026 alongside the message: “The time is coming.” Although the post did not name Neymar directly, it signaled the club’s intention to keep its star.
Neymar returned to Santos in January 2025 after mutually terminating his contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. His first season back at the Brazilian club was hampered by injuries, but he made a decisive impact late in the campaign, scoring four goals in the final three matches to help Santos avoid relegation on the last day of the season.
Earlier in December, Neymar underwent successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, with the procedure carried out by Brazil’s national team doctor, Santos confirmed.
Neymar, who has also played for FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals—two more than Pelé. The extension is seen as a key part of Santos’s plans, both on the pitch and commercially, as the club seeks continuity and leadership around its homegrown talent.