Neymar could play four in a row for Santos after nine months | OneFootball

Neymar could string together four consecutive appearances for Santos, the first such run in about nine months. According to Diario Do Peixe, Cuca’s staff are considering using the number 10 in successive fixtures.

On Thursday the forward skipped ball work at CT Rei Pelé, doing gym work as part of load management. He trained fully on Friday, with internal assessments positive on his fitness.

The plan covers back-to-back games at Vila Belmiro, against Fluminense on Sunday in the Brasileirão and Coritiba on Wednesday in the Copa do Brasil.

After those fixtures the squad fly to Salvador to face Bahia, with Neymar expected to travel but likely to be rested.

The group then go straight to Buenos Aires to face San Lorenzo in the Copa Sudamericana, where the club deem his involvement important after an uneven start.

A derby at Allianz Parque against Palmeiras follows, and the number 10 is likely to sit out to limit minutes on synthetic surfaces.

Neymar’s last extended run for Santos came last year, when he played seven in a row against Flamengo, Mirassol, Internacional, Sport, Juventude, Cruzeiro and Vasco.

Since then, injuries, suspensions and load control have capped him at three in succession, so a new sequence could sharpen his rhythm. The club also see the run-in as a chance to boost his Brazil prospects, with Carlo Ancelotti due to finalise the 2026 World Cup list at the end of May and his minutes potentially decisive.

Source: Diario Do Peixe