Will Neymar Jr Play Tonight in Santos vs Mirassol Brazilian Serie A 2026 Match?
Neymar Jr. is set to feature for Santos FC against Mirassol in tonight's Brazilian Serie A 2026 Round 24 match. The highly anticipated game kicks off at 6:30 PM Brasília time (21:30 UTC) at Estádio Urbano Caldeira. Discover where to watch, recent team form, and head-to-head stats for this crucial encounter.
Football fans across Brazil and worldwide are eagerly awaiting tonight's Campeonato Brasileiro Série A clash, with all eyes on whether superstar Neymar Jr. will grace the pitch. The good news for Peixe supporters is that their returning prodigal son is indeed expected to start when Santos FC hosts Mirassol at the Estádio Urbano Caldeira. The match, scheduled for a 3:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) kickoff, marks Round 24 of the 2026 Brazilian top flight. Neymar Fires Back at Booing Santos Fans With 'Stay Home' Advice Following CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026 Win.
Neymar's Anticipated Return
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, aged 34, is in his second stint with his boyhood club, having rejoined Santos in January 2025 on a contract set to run until December 31, 2026. The prolific forward was reportedly rested for Santos' recent Copa Sudamericana fixture against Macará, a strategic move by head coach Cuca to ensure his readiness for this crucial domestic encounter. Reports from August 22, 2026, indicate that Neymar, alongside Gabriel Barbosa, trained normally and is slated to return to the starting XI against Mirassol. Cuca was appointed as Santos' head coach on March 19, 2026, with a contract extending until the end of 2026.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Santos FC vs Mirassol |
| Competition | Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2026 |
| Stage | Round 24 |
| Date | Sunday, August 23, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 6:30 PM Brasília Time (21:30 UTC) |
| Venue | Estádio Urbano Caldeira (Vila Belmiro), Santos, Brazil |
Form and Head-to-Head
Santos head into this fixture with renewed confidence after a significant 3-0 away victory over Vasco, which snapped a three-match winless streak in the Brazilian Championship. This result, coupled with their progression to the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals after a draw against Macará, has provided a much-needed boost. Currently sitting in 14th place with 25 points, a win would help Santos further distance themselves from the relegation zone. Their attack has been productive lately, netting nine goals in their last five league outings.
Mirassol, on the other hand, recently faced disappointment, being eliminated from the Copa Libertadores on penalties by LDU Quito, meaning their full focus will now be on their domestic campaign. Mirassol currently occupies the 17th position with 23 points, in the relegation zone, following a 5-1 loss to Flamengo in their last match. Neymar Trolls Critics With 'Poker Celebration' After Scoring Opening Goal For Santos Against Chapecoense in Brazilian Serie A 2026 (Watch Video).
Historically, the home fixture against Mirassol has been a strong point for Santos. The Peixe boast an impressive record of eight wins and two draws in 10 matches at home against Mirassol, having never suffered a defeat.
With Neymar's anticipated presence and Santos' strong home record against Mirassol, all signs point to an enthralling contest as both teams vie for crucial points in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Fans are optimistic that the return of their star player will spark a dominant performance at Vila Belmiro.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2026 01:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).