Neymar has taken another major step forward in his recovery from the right thigh rectus femoris muscle injury. The attacking midfielder for Santos began physical transition work this Tuesday (28) at the CT Rei Pelé facility and resumed ball training on the field while wearing soccer cleats.
Number 10 is focused on recovering from a grade 2 injury sustained on September 18, during a training session. He has now started physical reconditioning activities, a key step before the final phase in his recovery, training with the rest of the squad.
Despite the promising progress, Santos does not intend to rush the process. According to the club’s plan, Neymar is expected to make his return for the game against Flamengo on November 9, at the Maracanã Stadium, during the 33rd round of the Brazilian Championship.
Prior to that, Santos faces Fortaleza on Saturday (1), in a decisive matchup to avoid relegation, at Vila Belmiro. They are also scheduled to play the derby against Palmeiras on November 6, at Allianz Parque.
As Neymar works diligently to regain match fitness, Santos remains patient in deciding his future. The club, for now, is in no rush to discuss a contract renewal, with his current deal set to expire at the end of December.
Marcelo Teixeira, the president of Santos, recently suggested that the likelihood of Neymar staying is high. However, he has also highlighted specific conditions.
“We are in constant communication with Neymar’s father. Contract renewal talks haven’t begun yet. We will evaluate things when the time is right. The initiative has never been just a six-month commitment; rather, it has always been planned with the World Cup as the ultimate goal.
It’s a project for both Santos and Brazil. We will assess the situation, consider the financial aspects, and evaluate the player’s technical abilities,” he concluded.