In a critical match for survival in Brazil’s Serie A, Neymar delivered one of his most dramatic performances. Despite doctors recommending surgery for knee pain, Neymar played through the discomfort and scored a hat-trick in the second half against Juventude, saving Santos from a tough situation.
With this 3-0 win, Neymar helped his former club avoid relegation, securing their position in the league with one match left to play.
Santos entered the away match against Juventude needing a win to avoid relegation. Juventude had already been relegated, but the match was crucial for Santos, who were just above the drop zone with a two-point gap from the last relegation spot.
Facing meniscus issues, Neymar ignored medical advice to rest and took to the field, highlighting the importance of this match for the club and fans. Every touch by the player in the number 10 jersey raised hopes for Santos’ survival.
After an intense first half, Neymar scored right at the start of the second half. He finished a fast counterattack, easing the team’s pressure with a 1-0 lead. Within ten minutes, he doubled the score with a composed finish from Igor Vinicius’ cross. Despite not being fully fit, his movement and timing were sharp.
In the closing minutes, Neymar completed his hat-trick with a penalty.
Over the last three league matches, Neymar scored five goals, highlighting his key role in saving Santos from relegation.
With the victory against Juventude, Santos climbed to 14th place with 42 points, maintaining a safe distance from the relegation zone. With only one match remaining in the league, Santos is three points ahead of the relegation area.