Brazilian star provides assist in comeback after knee surgery as Neymar makes long-awaited return for Santos with sights set on World Cup
Neymar marked his return to competitive football with an assist in Santos‘ 6-0 demolition of Velo Clube this weekend, ending a two-month absence following surgery on his left knee.
The 34-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star entered at halftime and needed just 45 minutes to demonstrate he remains a force, setting up Gabriel Barbosa for his second goal of the afternoon in the Paulista A1 clash.
The comeback represents a crucial milestone for Neymar as he pursues his ultimate remaining ambition: leading Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.
His absence since early December had threatened those aspirations, but his encouraging performance suggests the knee surgery hasn’t diminished his quality or determination to represent the Seleção on football’s biggest stage.
Santos coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda offered a glowing assessment of Neymar’s importance to both club and country following the match, backing the veteran’s World Cup dreams while emphasising his enduring elite status.
“I think everyone needs Neymar. Santos, the national team… [Brazil coach Carlo] Ancelotti will be happy if he does well,” Vojvoda said. “One thing leads to another. He’s a world-class player. He still has that ambition. I see it in every game, in training: he wants to be there and he wants to win. That’s what motivates him.”
Long road back from devastating knee injury
Neymar’s journey back to the pitch has been arduous. He last represented Brazil on October 17, 2023, when he suffered a devastating knee injury against Uruguay that sparked what he’s described as a period of professional agony.
That setback kept him away from international duty for over two years, with his focus shifting entirely to rehabilitation and recovery.
His most recent club appearance came on December 7, 2025, when he faced Cruzeiro in the final round of the Brazilian Championship.
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Surgery on the meniscus in his left knee followed shortly after, sidelining him through the holiday period and into the new year as medical staff worked to ensure proper healing.
His 45-minute cameo against Velo Clube offered reassuring signs that the surgery hasn’t robbed him of those essential qualities. The assist for Gabigol demonstrated his vision and passing precision remain intact, while his movement suggested confidence in the repaired knee’s stability.
🚨🚨| Disgusting challenge on Neymar in his first games back from injury. 😨🇧🇷
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) February 16, 2026
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer eyes international return
As Brazil’s all-time leading marksman with 79 goals, Neymar‘s extended international absence has created a void that younger players have struggled filling completely.
Ancelotti has managed without him for over two years, but adding a fit and motivated Neymar to the squad would transform Brazil’s attacking options heading into the World Cup.
The tournament begins for Brazil on June 13 against Morocco, a fixture Neymar has circled as his potential return to Seleção duty. Should he reclaim his place in Ancelotti’s squad, he would once again lead the national anthem for a side desperate to reclaim their status as world champions.
Brazil’s Group C schedule includes matches against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. The relatively manageable group should allow Brazil to advance comfortably, though nothing can be taken for granted in World Cup competition where underdogs regularly upset established powers.
