The match at Vila Belmiro sealed a positive end to a challenging campaign for the historic club, which gained worldwide fame through Pelé. Santos’ survival comes just one year after suffering its first-ever relegation in 2023, an event that shook Brazilian football only months after Pelé’s passing.
Neymar, who rejoined his boyhood club in January, played a crucial role in lifting Santos back into top-flight stability despite featuring in only half of the league season. Still recovering from an ACL tear sustained during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, he struggled for fitness early on but became instrumental when it mattered most.
In the final three rounds, Neymar found decisive form: scoring in a 3–0 win over Sport Recife, delivering a hat trick against Juventude in another 3–0 victory, and orchestrating much of Santos’ attacking play against Cruzeiro. Sunday’s goals came from Thaciano, who struck twice in the 26th and 28th minutes, and João Schmidt, who sealed the result in the 60th minute. Santos concluded the season in 12th place with 47 points.
Reflecting on the victory and his physical condition, Neymar acknowledged the toll of recent weeks. “I came for this, to try to help the best way I can,” he said. “These have been tough weeks for me… I need to rest and then we will have this knee surgery.” He did not offer further details regarding the procedure.
Despite his injury concerns, Neymar remains hopeful of securing a place in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad, though national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has yet to call him up since assuming the role in May.
Meanwhile, Flamengo wrapped up its ninth Brazilian league title earlier in the week after defeating Ceará 1–0, adding to the momentum from their Copa Libertadores triumph last month.