Will Neymar face São Paulo? Star returns to crisis-hit Santos | OneFootball

The big question that not only Santos fans, but also São Paulo fans have ahead of this new clash between the teams, this Wednesday (4) at Vila Belmiro, now for the Brasileirão, is whether Neymar will finally return to play or not.

And the answer may only come on the day of the match itself, scheduled for 8pm (Brasília time). The great Santos star returned to training with the ball alongside the rest of the squad at CT Rei Pelé this Monday (2), still in the process of physical transition after undergoing surgery on his left knee at the end of 2025.

And during the rival’s training session this Tuesday (3), Neymar once again trained with the ball alongside his teammates. However, the Santos press is treating him as out of the San-São derby, still not in ideal physical condition.

One who is hoping to have the star’s company in the attack for the coastal team is Rony, now officially presented at the club, who spoke about Neymar’s importance to the team.

“If the coach decides to play with Neymar tomorrow (Wednesday), what an honor. What a sensational guy. Just being next to him gives you joy to play and makes you think of things alongside him that you wouldn’t normally imagine. The way he carries the ball and finds a pass,” Rony dreamed.

And veteran striker Tiquinho Soares is once again available to coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda, having recovered from swelling in his left calf that kept him out at the start of the season. He trained normally and should be available for the derby at Vila.

Now, the crisis is only there!

In a major crisis for some time now, which worsened slightly after the 2-0 defeat to São Paulo in the Paulistão, Santos woke up this Tuesday to protest banners at Vila Belmiro and also at CT Rei Pelé.

The main criticism from Santos fans was directed especially at president Marcelo Teixeira and football executive Alexandre Mattos. The banners were put up by fans during the night, but the club removed them early in the morning.

Even the Santos fans who occupy the numbered seats at Vila were targeted. They were urged to support the squad more and boo less during Santos’ home games.

The Santos team is currently in 14th place in the Paulistão, just above the relegation zone, with only 6 points so far, and is living under the threat of relegation in the state championship. In the Brasileirão, where they face São Paulo in the second round, they debuted with a heavy 4-2 defeat to Chapecoense away from home.

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