Neymar accomplished a feat more akin to folklore on Wednesday as he scored a hat-trick in Santos’ 3-0 victory against Juventude which might’ve saved his boyhood club from relegation.
The 33-year-old Brazilian icon has been playing injured with a meniscus problem that will require surgery. Despite being told by doctors not to play, Neymar is refusing to see Santos get relegated and is playing through the pain for the final games of the season.
With goals in three of Santos’ previous four games, Neymar may have done enough to prevent Santos from dropping back down to the Serie B. Santos were relegated in 2023, but promoted back to the top flight in 2024.
Neymar hat-trick for Santos
Wednesday’s game was a must-win for Santos as the bottom four teams in the league will be relegated. A defeat against Juventude would’ve seen Santos remain in the relegation zone with one game left to play.
Santos’ situation was looking bleak after a goal-less first half, but Neymar would change Santos’ fate in a span of 17 minutes with three goals.
GOOOOOL DO NEYMAR!!! O Peixe abre o placar no Alfredo Jaconi! ⚽#BrasileirãoNoPrimeVideo #Brasileirão #Juventude #Santos #JUVxSAN #FutebolAoVivo #Neymar pic.twitter.com/0mj2DoxP8l
— Prime Video Sport Brasil (@pvsportbr) December 3, 2025
É MAIS UM DELE!!!! O #NeyDay veio ai!!! #BrasileirãoNoPrimeVideo #Brasileirão #Juventude #Santos #JUVxSAN #FutebolAoVivo #Neymar pic.twitter.com/QkMwwPrg66
— Prime Video Sport Brasil (@pvsportbr) December 4, 2025
HAT-TRICK DO MENINO NEY!!! ⚽#BrasileirãoNoPrimeVideo #Brasileirão #Juventude #Santos #JUVxSAN #FutebolAoVivo #Neymar pic.twitter.com/KZtTIOzi3F
— Prime Video Sport Brasil (@pvsportbr) December 4, 2025
Santos now sit three places clear of the relegation zone with one game left to play.
Neymar won’t receive a trophy or award for what he did on Wednesday, however it’s a story that will be told for years to come.
Wednesday’s heroic performance is a prime example of how he’ll be remembered. Trophies and Ballon d’Ors don’t come to mind when people think of Neymar, they envision silky skills and above all else, tremendous passion.
An injured Neymar defying doctors’ orders and saving his boyhood club from relegation is a story straight from fairy tales.
