Santos pulled off one of the most dramatic survival stories in recent Brazilian football history on Sunday night, defeating third-placed Cruzeiro 3–0 at Vila Belmiro to secure their place in Serie A.

At the heart of the escape was Neymar — emotional, hurting, but decisive when it mattered most.

The 33-year-old, who returned to Santos in January after a difficult, injury-ridden spell abroad, battled through significant knee and meniscus pain to lead the club during its tense final stretch of the season.

Despite being limited to just 19 league appearances, his eight goals and late-season brilliance proved vital.

In the buildup to the finale, Neymar delivered crucial performances: scoring in a 3–0 win over Sport Recife, netting a hat-trick in another 3–0 victory against Juventude, and orchestrating the decisive win over Cruzeiro.

On Sunday, Thaciano struck twice in two minutes (26’ and 28’), before J. Schmidt sealed the 3–0 victory in the 60th minute, pushing Santos to 12th place with 47 points.

The win ensured the club avoided what would have been only their second relegation — the first came in 2023 after 111 years in the top flight.

Relief swept through Vila Belmiro, with Neymar dropping to his knees at the final whistle, overwhelmed by emotion.

“I came for this, to try to help the best way I can. These have been tough weeks for me,” he told Tribuna on Monday, acknowledging the pain he had pushed through. “If it weren’t for those who lifted me up, I wouldn’t have played these matches. I need to rest, and then we will have this knee surgery.”

He did not specify details of the procedure but remains hopeful of earning a spot in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad. Since taking over in May, national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has yet to select him, but his late-season form has reignited the conversation.

Santos captain Joaquim posted after the match on his official X account: “Deus, OBRIGADO!🙏” — “God, thank You.”

For Santos fans, this escape will be remembered as one of the club’s most iconic survival moments — and as a chapter in which their most celebrated academy product returned to fight for the badge, even while injured.

Neymar’s emotional performance also adds to a journey that has taken him from Santos to Barcelona in 2013, then PSG, and later Al-Hilal, where his injury-plagued 18-month spell ended in January 2025 by mutual consent.

Sunday’s victory not only sealed safety for Santos but reaffirmed Neymar’s enduring bond with the club that launched his career.