Neymar is not giving up, and he delivered one of his best performances in recent months as Santos defeated Bragantino. The attacker scored the crucial opening goal just before halftime, putting his team on track for a victory that lifted them out of the relegation zone.
Carlo Ancelotti will release his preliminary list of players for the 2026 World Cup on Monday, the first cut that Neymar hopes to make among the 55 potential candidates. The coach’s decision, whether favorable or not to Neymar, is already set, but the No. 10’s display at Vila Belmiro was that of a player eager to prove himself, win over the fans, and lead Santos.
The match was tightly contested, with pressure mounting on a team desperate for points. That’s when Neymar stepped up, delivering a simple yet effective finish inside the box to open the scoring. This time, Santos also performed well defensively, keeping a clean sheet.
In the 76th minute, Frías made it 2-0, allowing Neymar to take an early rest, already thinking about the next game. He received a standing ovation as he left the pitch, named man of the match. He won six of nine duels and completed 69% of his passes—a relatively low figure explained by the risks he took in the final third.
