Santos leave Neymar out of São Paulo clássico to manage fitness | OneFootball

Santos have left Neymar out of their squad for Wednesday’s clássico against São Paulo at Vila Belmiro, the second round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, to manage his fitness ahead of a return.

According to Diario Do Peixe, the No 10 has been training with the ball alongside the squad on the pitch at CT Rei Pelé, and there had been hope he might be available, but the club kept to its plan.

The expectation is that Neymar could be back in contention for Juan Pablo Vojvoda this weekend, when Santos face Noroeste in Bauru in the Campeonato Paulista.

He began the season focused on his recovery after arthroscopy on his left knee in December 2025. Despite renewing his contract until 31 December 2026, he has not featured in the first official matches of the year.

In 2025 he played a key part in Santos staying in Série A of the Brasileiro, making 30 appearances, scoring 12 goals and supplying six assists. That campaign was hindered by fitness issues, including meniscus surgery at the end of the year.

Source: Diario Do Peixe