Neymar to help Santos in crucial match against Remo

01:58 / 04.08.2026·25·Sport

Brazilian club Santos have received important news ahead of a decisive Brazilian Cup clash. The team’s star forward Neymar will play in the away match against Remo despite his busy personal schedule. ESPN Brasil reports that the player will fulfill his charity-event commitments before the game and then join the squad. Goal.com reports .

The match, which will decide a place in the quarter-finals of this season’s Brazilian Cup, will take place on Tuesday at the Mangueirão Stadium in Belém. The first leg ended in a 0–0 draw. As a result, the upcoming clash is extremely important for both teams, forcing head coach Cuca to field his strongest lineup.

Complex logistics and squad absences

Although most of the Santos delegation is scheduled to arrive in Belém on Monday evening, Neymar will join the team by private jet early on matchday because of commitments related to a charity auction in São Paulo. The club’s management succeeded in overcoming all logistical difficulties to make its leading scorer available for the crucial match.

However, while the attacking news is positive, a serious problem has emerged in the team’s defensive ranks. First-choice center-back Lucas Veríssimo suffered a muscle injury in the final minutes of last Saturday’s first leg and will miss the return match. The club has not yet announced a precise timeframe for his return.

Projected lineup and competition for places

Although the absence of Lucas Veríssimo is a significant setback for Santos, the coaching staff have alternative options. According to experts, Adonis Frias is expected to replace him and partner João Ananias in central defense. Gabriel Brazão is expected to start in goal.

Igor Vinícius or players such as Gabriel Menino and Escobar could also feature in defense. Santos’ main attacking hopes rest on the Neymar–Gabigol partnership, with their combination expected to decide the match. Substitutes such as João Schmidt and Gabriel Menino would give the coach the option to make tactical changes.