Neymar Rested as Santos Prepares for Crucial Derby

Neymar Jr. missed Santos’ tactical session at CT Rei Pelé after coming down with mild flu symptoms, handing coach Cuca an unwelcome scare on the eve of a crucial stretch in the season.

The Brazilian star was pulled from Friday’s work as the squad fine‑tuned plans for a high‑stakes trip to fierce rivals Corinthians. With the derby looming and the team hovering just above the Campeonato Brasileiro relegation zone, any sign of trouble for their captain instantly raised alarm.

Santos’ medical staff moved quickly and cautiously. The club released an official note explaining the decision: “The athlete Neymar Jr. presented flu-like symptoms and was rested from Friday's (August 28) training session, following advice from the Health Department.” No risks, no half measures.

The early signs are encouraging. Reports indicate Neymar is expected back in training on Saturday and remains on course to be available for selection in the clássico. For Cuca, that matters enormously.

Neymar has carried Santos’ attack this season. Nine goals, eight assists, 24 appearances.

When he plays, the Peixe look dangerous. When he doesn’t, the drop is brutal. The 3-0 collapse to Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil, when they had to manage without their talisman, still lingers as a painful reminder.

And the derby comes with its own layer of tension. Santos sit just two points clear of the relegation zone, a margin so thin that one bad week could drag them straight into trouble. A positive result at Corinthians is less about bragging rights and more about survival.

Cuca’s selection puzzle doesn’t end with Neymar’s health. Joao Schmidt is suspended after an accumulation of bookings, while Gabriel Menino is out with a knee sprain. Key pieces missing, a captain recovering from illness, and a season hanging in the balance – it’s hardly the ideal backdrop for a local showdown.

The schedule offers no mercy after the clássico either. Once the dust settles against Corinthians, Santos must attempt the near-impossible: overturn a three-goal deficit against Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil quarter-final second leg. They were torn apart 3-0 in the first meeting and now need a flawless night to stay alive in the competition.

Then comes a demanding away trip to Internacional, one last test before the domestic calendar pauses. Three matches, three high-pressure stages, and one question hanging over it all: can a flu-hit captain and a stretched squad keep Santos clear of the drop and still dream in the cups?