Forward played through pain to help Santos avoid relegation but is staying patient about a contract extension
Neymar will sign a new contract with Santos after helping them stay up, but will wait until after he has had surgery for a knee problem.
The 33-year-old returned to Santos in January, nearly 12 years after leaving the club where his professional career began. His current deal expires on 31 December, meaning he is technically free to negotiate elsewhere, but all sides remain confident a renewal will be agreed.
Plans had been in place to conclude talks this week, but those discussions have slowed after it was decided Neymar would undergo surgery before Christmas. The forward has a knee issue but played through the pain to help Santos avoid relegation from Brazil’s Serie A.
According to reports in Brazil, the decision to pause negotiations was made on the advice of Neymar’s father and agent, Neymar Sr, who told Santos there was “no need to rush” and that it would be better to wait until after the surgery.
“It is best to be patient about Neymar’s contract renewal,” Santos reporter Musetti said. “Santos hoped that it would be resolved this week but that’s not going to happen.
“Santos will wait for Neymar’s surgery. Neymar is on vacation in the United States, he went from Miami to New York and will return next week, when he is expected to schedule the surgery. The surgery will happen before Christmas, maybe even in the next few days.
“Santos already wanted to renew the contract but heard from Neymar’s father. There’s no need to rush, let’s wait for the surgery.
“Also understand that this delay is ‘natural’, it is the modus operandi of especially Neymar’s father. This has happened two other times. When Neymar first came, he hadn’t signed the contract until the day of his presentation.”
