Santos coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda has expressed optimism regarding Neymar‘s recovery after his knee surgery in December but emphasizes the importance of not hastening his return to play.
Neymar, who celebrated his 34th birthday on Thursday, resumed training this week, having been out since December 22 due to arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to address a meniscus injury.
With speculation that Neymar may play this Sunday against Club Noroeste in the Campeonato Paulista, Vojvoda remarked, “He has returned to training with the team. However, a player of his caliber, who is aiming for significant milestones, must be fit before making a comeback.”
“He is fully committed to ensuring that when he returns to the field, he will meet everyone’s expectations. He has his sights set on the World Cup and needs to train diligently, engaging in one-on-one practice… He’s still a human being. We won’t rush him. I want him back as much as his teammates do, but we need him to be in good condition.”
“When he is fit, he provides a unique value that few others can match,” Vojvoda added.
– As Neymar turns 34, time is ticking on his World Cup dream
Neymar, instrumental in helping Santos avoid relegation last season, is focused on earning a spot in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
Due to injuries, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals has not represented his country since October 2023.
Gabriel Barbosa, known as ‘Gabigol’, who recently joined Santos on loan from Cruzeiro, wants to alleviate some of the pressure on Neymar.
“I don’t view him as the nation’s savior,” ‘Gabigol’ stated. “If that were the case, other teams would never suffer defeats because they possess outstanding players.”
“He’s just one of many players, albeit a very significant one, an idol among the group and a captain. He provides great leadership. We hope to support him so he can enjoy the game and not feel overwhelmed. We want him back at full strength, without pressure, so he can contribute to both Santos and the national team.”