Neymar’s Santos secured its survival in Brazil’s Serie A on Sunday with a 3 to 0 win over Cruzeiro, and the 33-year-old soccer star later confirmed he will undergo surgery on his left knee.

Playing its last league match of the season, Santos, which achieved a global following with all-time great Pelé, avoided what would have been the club’s second relegation in its history.

Santos was relegated in 2023 for the first time, almost a year after the death of Pelé.

Neymar’s impact

Neymar struggled to recover from a torn ACL in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.

But he proved key for Santos in its successful fight to avoid relegation in the Brazilian championship after its promotion last year.

Neymar, who returned to Santos in January, was decisive for the club where he started his professional career.

In the last three rounds of the league, Neymar scored a goal against Sport Recife in a 3 to 0 win and netted a hat trick against Juventude on Wednesday in another 3 to 0 victory and on Sunday was an effective playmaker.

Thaciano in the 26th and 28th minutes and Joao Schmidt in the 60th scored against Cruzeiro at Vila Belmiro Stadium as Santos finished 12th with 47 points.

Neymar played only 19 of the 38 rounds of the league, which started in April, and he scored eight goals.

Neymar on injuries

“I came for this, to try to help the best way I can. These have been tough weeks for me,” Neymar said after the game.

“I thank those who were with me to lift me up. If it were not for them, I would not have played these matches because of these injuries, this knee problem. I need to rest, and then we will have this knee surgery.”

Neymar did not give more details about the knee injury and surgery. He still hopes to be included in Brazil’s final squad for the 2026 World Cup, though coach Carlo Ancelotti has yet to pick the former captain since he took over in May.

Flamengo won its ninth Brazilian league title midweek after a 1 to 0 home victory against Ceará. The Rio de Janeiro club also won the Copa Libertadores last month.