Relive Santos’ best moments from the 2025 season | OneFootball

Santos’ season was filled with emotion, but many fans felt a weight lifted off their shoulders with the confirmation of the club’s stay in the top tier of the Brazilian Championship. However, despite the suffering and difficulties, the Alvinegro Praiano experienced some positive moments throughout the year, both on and off the field. With that in mind, Gazeta Esportiva has selected some of the best moments for Peixe this season. Check them out!

Announcement and Presentation of Neymar

The return of Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior to Santos after 12 years caused a national stir and energized the Baixada Santista. Peixe announced the signing of the attacking midfielder on January 31 of this year, giving fans a belated Christmas present, as they placed high hopes on the star’s comeback. More experienced and with a different playing style, the star left behind the number 11 jersey and began wearing the number 10, in honor of idol Pelé.

On the same day, Neymar was officially presented as a Santos player in a grand celebration at Vila Belmiro. More than 10,000 people attended to witness the striker’s return, who was moved to tears as he took the stage set up in the center of the stadium. After giving a speech, he did a lap of honor and kicked a few balls into the crowd.

Neymar suffered four injuries during the season, each with a recovery time of about a month. He had two muscle injuries in his left thigh, one in his right thigh, and one in the meniscus of his left knee. Despite this, the star delivered on the pitch whenever he managed a run of games. In the final matches of the year, the number 10 played through knee pain and was still decisive in securing the team’s place in Série A.

The Santos star finished the season as the team’s second top scorer, with 11 goals and four assists in 28 matches, 23 of them as a starter.

Neymar was presented at Vila Belmiro upon his return to Santos (Photo: Raul Baretta/ Santos FC)

Santos 3 x 1 Corinthians

Santos had some memorable matches this season, such as the 1-0 win over Flamengo at Vila Belmiro (14th round of the Brasileirão), the 3-2 victory against Fortaleza at Arena Castelão (12th round), and even the wins against São Paulo (1-0, 24th round) and Palmeiras (also 1-0, in a postponed match from the 13th round). However, the main highlight goes to the derby against Corinthians.

The Alvinegro derby, valid for the 28th round, was crucial for Santos, who were still actively fighting against relegation in the Brasileirão. Peixe went into the match without Neymar, who was recovering from injury, and faced a rival coming off a 3-0 win over fourth-placed Mirassol.

But football is football, and Santos completely dominated Corinthians at Vila Belmiro. The Alvinegro Praiano perhaps played their best match under coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda, being superior from start to finish, creating scoring opportunities and defending well. Zé Rafael opened the scoring early with a header, and Barreal scored a stunning goal near the end of the first half, increasing Santos’ lead.

In the second half, Santos made it 3-0 with a penalty goal from Rollheiser. Raniele pulled one back for the Itaquera side, but the Alvinegro Praiano managed to hold on and controlled the match with ease. The victory was certainly memorable for many fans, especially those present at Vila Belmiro.

Santos squad celebrates Zé Rafael’s goal against Corinthians (Photo: Raul Baretta/ Santos FC)

Staying in Série A and Qualifying for the Sudamericana

Finally, another important moment for Santos this season was the much-celebrated survival in the Série A of the Brazilian Championship, which was sealed in the final round. The battle intensified in the last matches of the competition, but Peixe managed positive results and finished in 12th place, even securing a spot in the next edition of the Copa Sudamericana.

Peixe ended the season with an unbeaten streak of six matches, their longest run of the year. There were four wins against Cruzeiro, Palmeiras, Sport, and Juventude, and two draws against Internacional and Mirassol. The triumphs over Sport (3-0 at home), Juventude (3-0 away), and Cruzeiro (3-0 at Vila) came in the last three rounds and confirmed the team’s stay in the top flight.

Moreover, Santos will return to international competition after three years. The club will compete in four tournaments in 2026: Campeonato Paulista, Campeonato Brasileiro, Copa Sudamericana, and Copa do Brasil.

Neymar and Vojvoda celebrate Santos’ survival at Vila (Photo: Raul Baretta/ Santos FC)

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