Neymar Jr.’s return to Santos FC hasn’t exactly gone as planned. After signing a six-month deal in January, the 33-year-old forward came back to the club where it all began, hoping to get back to his best. But another injury—this time to his left thigh—has set him back again. Still, club president Marcelo Teixeira remains optimistic about what’s ahead and hasn’t ruled out extending Neymar’s stay beyond the summer.

“We want him to stay until the World Cup”

Speaking to TV Globo, Teixeira made it clear the club would love to keep Neymar beyond June, when his current deal ends. “Based on the talks we’ve had, there’s a strong chance that, if he wants to and Santos wants to, we’ll renew the deal again—ideally keeping him through to next year’s World Cup,” he said. The president called that the club’s “main project” and hinted they’re open to a one-year extension at least.

Injury won’t derail the plan

The new injury—this time to the semimembranosus muscle in his left thigh—forced Neymar off the pitch in tears during the match against Atlético Mineiro, his first start since picking up another knock on March 2. Despite the setback, Teixeira insisted the project isn’t just about whether Neymar plays: “There’s no upside to the injury. But this is a bigger plan—we have to look at the long-term vision, the impact, and the value of having Neymar with us, on and off the field.”

The club confirmed it’s not a recurrence of the previous injury, and Neymar will continue with muscle strengthening. There’s no official return date, but Santos’ medical team will monitor his progress weekly, hoping to get him back on the field as soon as possible.

Since his comeback, Neymar has played seven matches, scoring three goals and providing three assists—flashes of the old magic. But the team isn’t where they want to be: Santos FC currently sits 13th in the Brasileirao and is going through a transition phase following the departure of head coach Pedro Caixinha. In that context, keeping Neymar might be just what the club needs—both on the pitch and behind the scenes.