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Brazil and Santos forward Neymar has had a successful operation on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 33-year-old has been carrying the injury during a difficult season for Santos, where he played a pivotal role in helping the club avoid relegation from Brazil’s top flight.<\/p>\n
Santos said Brazil’s national team doctor performed the arthroscopic surgery, having previously operated on Neymar for a foot fracture as well as the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) he suffered in 2023.<\/p>\n
The operation boosts Neymar’s hopes of being included in Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n
The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain forward is Brazil’s record goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 matches, but has not played for his country in more than two years.<\/p>\n
Neymar returned to boyhood club Santos<\/a> in January after making just seven appearances more than 18 months for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.<\/p>\n He played a crucial role in Santos’ survival by playing through the pain in his knee to score five goals in their last four matches of the season.<\/p>\n His Santos contract expires at the end of the year<\/a> but he is in talks with the club over a new deal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n