Santos ‘underused’, says Amir Somoggi, as Neymar return fails to halt R$ 1 billion debt | OneFootball

Santos remain in financial crisis, with total debt at R$ 1 billion despite Neymar's return, and the club also owing the forward R$ 90 million.

"Internationalisation is what could save Santos, but I do not see competence in the current board to do it," said sports management expert Amir Somoggi. He was speaking to LegalBet.

"Santos is the most underused club in Brazil. It has a very strong brand but does not capitalise, and revenue is very low. With names like Pelé and Neymar, it has never managed to grow globally."

"Santos is the Brazilian club with the most fans abroad, it has potential, but it has the ninth or tenth support in Brazil. Outside the SAF route, internationalisation is what could save Santos."

Annual revenue stands between R$ 600 million and R$ 650 million, far behind Flamengo on about R$ 2 billion and Palmeiras around R$ 1.7 billion.

The club's financial problems are historic and also relate to its location, the only major Brazilian side not based in a state capital. Even so, it has reinvented itself in crises, from the Meninos da Vila that won the 2002 Brasileirão after 18 years without silverware to the team that revealed Neymar. Despite a revenue uptick from 2024 to 2025 tied to his comeback, the budget remains out of balance.

Source: Diario Do Peixe