Neymar's return to Santos fails to spark marketing or performance boost

Neymar’s return to Santos has failed to provide the expected marketing boost or on-field dominance. Despite his high-profile move to the club in January 2025, the team has struggled with mediocrity, finishing 12th in the Brazilian Serie A.

Neymar has faced significant challenges with fitness and availability, missing 30 matches across all competitions this year. In Serie A specifically, he played 12 matches, scoring six goals and providing three assists, while missing 15 games due to injury or lack of readiness.

As a result, the anticipated surge in club attendance has not materialized. Santos remains below other major Brazilian clubs in viewership; for comparison, Flamengo leads the league with an average of 52,311 viewers per match, while Santos's impact has diminished alongside the player's declining on-field presence.