Neymar Out As Santos Faces São Paulo In Classic Showdown

Neymar’s absence is set to loom large over Vila Belmiro as Santos prepares to host São Paulo in a much-anticipated Brasileirão Betano clássico this Wednesday night. The iconic striker, who has been the club’s main reinforcement and emotional leader since his return, trained with his teammates earlier this week but will not be on the team sheet for this second-round showdown. Fans, already buzzing with excitement for the clash, will have to wait a bit longer to see their “Prince of Vila Belmiro” back in competitive action.

On Tuesday, Neymar took part in a full training session with Santos, marking a significant milestone in his recovery from knee surgery. The Brazilian superstar underwent a procedure on his left knee meniscus on December 22, 2025, and while his rehabilitation has progressed ahead of schedule, the club’s medical staff and technical team have opted to err on the side of caution. According to Globo.com, Neymar “worked with his team-mates, but he is still not ready to play.” The expectation, widely reported and echoed by club insiders, is that he could make his return to the matchday squad on Sunday, February 8, when Santos faces Noroeste in the penultimate round of the Paulistão.

Neymar’s last competitive appearance came on December 7, 2025, in the final round of the previous Brasileirão season. In that match against Cruzeiro, Neymar played through considerable pain, underscoring his commitment to the club’s desperate fight against relegation. His efforts did not go unnoticed by fans or the club’s hierarchy. In a show of faith and gratitude, Santos extended his contract until December 31, 2026, officially ending months of speculation linking him with a high-profile move to Inter Miami and a possible reunion with Lionel Messi. The club’s president, Marcelo Teixeira, didn’t hide his delight: “Having Neymar, our Prince, with us until the end of the year shows that our project to rebuild the Club and our football is going strong, respecting processes and consolidating credibility. We are on the right track.”

For Neymar himself, the journey has been both physically and emotionally taxing. Sharing glimpses of his rehabilitation on social media, he’s been candid about the challenges and the motivation driving his comeback. “Without pain, there is no gain,” Neymar stated, a mantra that has resonated with supporters eager to witness his return. Reflecting on the previous year, he said, “Moments of joy and overcoming that I could only face with your love. The year 2026 has arrived, and my destiny cannot be different. Santos is my place. I’m at home, I’m sure, and I’m happy.”

On the pitch, Neymar’s impact since his return to Santos has been undeniable. In the 2025 Brasileirão, he featured in 20 matches, scoring eight goals and providing one assist. Impressively, five of those goals came in the final five matches of the campaign—crucial contributions that helped secure Santos’ place in Serie A. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Neymar is keen to convince Brazil’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, that he can play a pivotal role for the Seleção on football’s biggest stage. His commitment to fitness and the support from Santos could be decisive factors in that quest.

But as the classic against São Paulo approaches, Santos must adapt to life—at least temporarily—without their talisman. The likely starting XI for Wednesday’s clash has been shaped by both necessity and tactical planning. Coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda, who focused on tactics and set pieces in the final training session, is expected to field Gabriel Brazão in goal; a defense of Igor Vinicius, Adonis Frías, Luan Peres, and Vinicius Lira; João Schmidt (captain) and Zé Rafael anchoring the midfield; and an attacking quartet of Á. Barreal, Gabriel Menino, Rony, and Gabigol. Tiquinho Soares, another key figure, trained recently and is set to return soon, while Thaciano continues his physical transition and Gustavo Henrique remains sidelined.

The absence of Neymar is not the only concern for Santos. Willian Arão and Tiquinho Soares are also unavailable for the classic, further testing the squad’s depth. In contrast, São Paulo arrives with a nearly full-strength squad and no major injury issues. Led by Argentine coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda, São Paulo is expected to line up in a 5-3-2 formation prioritizing defensive solidity and quick transitions. Probable starters include Rafael (captain) in goal; Maik, Sabino, R. Arboleda, and A. Franco in defense; E. Díaz, D. Bobadilla, and M. Antônio in midfield; and Danielzinho, J. Calleri, and Luciano leading the attack.

The historical context of the San-São rivalry adds extra spice to the encounter. With over 320 matches played between the two giants, São Paulo holds a slight edge with around 141 wins to Santos’s 110, and 76 draws. Recent meetings have been tightly contested, though São Paulo has enjoyed more success in direct Brasileirão confrontations. At Vila Belmiro, however, Santos has traditionally made life difficult for their rivals, often leveraging the passionate home atmosphere to their advantage.

Both teams enter the match with something to prove. Santos is searching for its first league victory after a rocky start, including a goalless draw against Bragantino and a 4-2 defeat to Chapecoense in their opener—despite leading 2-1 in the second half, with goals from Gabriel Menino and Barreal. São Paulo, on the other hand, comes in riding a wave of momentum following a convincing win in their own Brasileirão debut and a string of positive results in recent matches, including triumphs over Flamengo, Corinthians, and São Bernardo.

Off the field, anticipation is sky-high. Tickets for the Santos sector have largely sold out, and a full house is expected at Vila Belmiro, with a reinforced security presence for visiting São Paulo fans. The weather forecast calls for a warm, humid evening with temperatures between 24°C and 28°C, partly cloudy skies, and the possibility of isolated showers—not enough, it seems, to dampen spirits or affect the pristine condition of the pitch. The CBF has appointed an experienced officiating crew to oversee the match, with VAR on hand to review any controversial decisions.

Broadcast details ensure that fans won’t miss a moment of the action. The match will be shown live on the Premiere pay-per-view channel and its associated streaming platforms, while Bytais sports activities will provide real-time play-by-play for those unable to tune in on TV.

With the Brasileirão Betano table still taking shape after just one round, both Santos and São Paulo are eager to climb the standings and set the tone for the season ahead. The artillery race is wide open, with players like Danilo from Botafogo leading the early scoring charts, and São Paulo’s Calleri and Luciano tipped as strong candidates to make their mark in coming rounds.

The stakes are high, the rivalry is fierce, and while Neymar’s return is just around the corner, all eyes will be on how Santos copes without him against a formidable São Paulo side. The storylines are many—will the hosts find a new hero, or will São Paulo capitalize on their advantage? One thing’s for sure: at Vila Belmiro, on a charged Wednesday night, anything can happen.