Neymar Hard To Prove His Ability Despite Injury, Scores Hattrick Brings Santos Out Of The Relegation Zone

JAKARTA - Neymar helped Santos take crucial steps in his struggle to avoid relegation in Brazil's Serie A on Thursday, December 4, 2025, by scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Juventude.

Despite playing with a knee injury, the Brazilian star scored all three goals in a decisive 17-minute span of time in the second half to ensure an important win for Santos.

Brazil's ESPN reported last week that Neymar is likely to undergo artroscopy operations at the end of the season to cope with a meniscus injury in his left knee.

However, the 33-year-old continued to force himself to play. He played Santos' last two games while continuing conservative care to deal with his pain.

Hattrick against Juventude was Neymar's first since April 2022, when he last scored three goals for Paris Saint-Germain against Clermont.

The former Barcelona star scored his first goal in the 56th minute after a quick counter-attack. Less than 10 minutes later, Neymar scored again, completing Igor Vinicius' cross accurately.

He then scored a hat trick from the penalty spot, shortly before being replaced in the 83rd minute.

Neymar has struggled with various injuries in recent seasons, but is still hoping to enter Brazil's National Team for the 2026 World Cup.

Brazilian manager Carlo Ancelotti has repeatedly said that Neymar has a good chance of joining the team if he is really fit.

This victory significantly keeps Neymar's childhood club away from the relegation zone with only one game remaining this season. Santos is now two points ahead of Vit wayria, the club currently occupying the final position among four relegated teams to Brazil's Serie B next season.

Santos will face Cruzeiro at Villa Belmiro on Sunday, December 8, 2025, in their final game of the season. Victory there will secure the team's place in Serie A Brazil.

Meanwhile, Juventude, who had been confirmed to be relegated before the match, suffered a fourth straight defeat.