Vojvoda urges caution with Neymar, eyes late Paulistão return | OneFootball

Juan Pablo Vojvoda says Santos will not rush Neymar back, stressing after the Noroeste match that his return must come at the right time.

According to Diario Do Peixe, the coach explained that Neymar is training normally, has overcome his knee issue and is fully integrated, but will only be used when the conditions are ideal. He said the aim is for the forward to come back at his best in 2026, strong and prepared.

Vojvoda noted that Neymar is already influencing the dressing room without playing, showing his one-v-one sharpness, raising standards and engaging team-mates.

He added that leaving Neymar out against Noroeste was about protecting the wider season rather than chasing an immediate result, insisting the timing of his return outweighs any hurry.

The indication is that he will continue to be managed carefully for Santos’s next assignment, an away game on synthetic turf against Athletico Paranaense in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Internally, there is an expectation that he will be named in the squad and get minutes in the final round of the Campeonato Paulista against Velo Clube on Sunday (15).

Source: Diario Do Peixe