Five Christmas gifts every Santos fan would love to receive | OneFootball

Santos suffered this season, both on and off the field. However, the end of the season brought some relief: staying in the top tier of Brazilian football. In addition, the team from Baixada secured a spot in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana.

So, in the Christmas spirit, Gazeta Esportiva has picked out five gifts that every Santos fan would love to receive. Check them out!

Neymar Combo

For 2026, a great gift for Santos fans would be to keep Neymar in the squad. Renewing the contract with the number 10 is the club's top priority at the moment, as revealed by Marcelo Teixeira. The star has a contract until the end of the year and recently underwent a minor procedure on the meniscus of his left knee.

Moreover, the player aims to be among Ancelotti's selections for Brazil in the 2026 World Cup. Therefore, having Neymar eager to stand out and earn a call-up is a great gift for all fans.

(Photo: Raul Baretta/Santos FC)

Elite Title

Santos fans are eager to celebrate a major title again. Many do not count the 2024 Série B and want to celebrate a more prestigious championship. Next year, Peixe will compete in the Brazilian Championship, Copa do Brasil, Paulista, and Copa Sudamericana.

The last elite title for the Alvinegro, except for Série B, was the 2016 Paulistão. Santos hasn't won the Brasileirão since 2004, the Copa do Brasil since 2010, and Peixe sees the Copa Sudamericana title, which would be unprecedented, as a great opportunity.

(Photo: Raul Baretta/Santos)

Gabigol

Santos needs a center forward, and the target is clear: Gabigol. Santos has advanced in negotiations with Cruzeiro to bring the "Menino da Vila" back for next season, discussing a loan until the end of 2026 with shared wages, which could make the deal possible given the financial limitations of the São Paulo club.

With a contract with Raposa until 2028, the striker is going through a delicate moment in Belo Horizonte, marked by a troubled relationship with coach Tite, a drop in support from fans after missing a penalty in the Copa do Brasil, and loss of space in the team, having been a substitute for part of the season, with 13 goals and four assists in 49 games.

Developed by Santos itself, Gabigol is seen favorably by the club's board, which believes that Cruzeiro's willingness to cover part of his wages changes the negotiation scenario.

Photo: Thaís Magalhães / Cruzeiro

A Calm 2026

Santos fans are hoping for a bit more peace next season. The team was relegated in 2023, had a turbulent year in Série B in 2024, and when they returned to the top tier, fought against relegation from the start to the end of the championship, facing various problems.

Now, fans are hoping for a calmer and more prosperous 2026, with battles for titles rather than against relegation.

Photo: Raul Baretta/Santos FC

Administrative Improvements

Santos is going through a period of strong administrative instability, highlighted by criticism of the board and protests from fans, who are demanding more professionalism and organization from Marcelo Teixeira's management.

Given this context, Santos fans hope that internal restructuring will be a true "Christmas gift," with administrative advances capable of restoring the club's credibility, reducing backstage turbulence, creating a healthier environment for sporting reconstruction at Vila Belmiro, and at the same time, cutting costs that do not bring returns to Baixada football.

(Photo: Raul Baretta/Santos FC)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.