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The Brazilian forward completed final tactical sessions amongst the starting XI under head coach Cuca, clearing any doubts about his physical readiness for the decisive cup encounter.

Return to the Lineup After Opening Leg Absence

The 34-year-old missed the first leg last Wednesday, in which Santos suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat against Palmeiras.His omission stemmed from a technical decision designed to manage his workload and avoid the synthetic playing surface at Allianz Parque, alongside caution over an accumulation of bookings.

Neymar responded to criticism over his absence by starting in Santos's ensuing 1-0 league victory against Corinthians, where he lasted the full 90 minutes and created multiple scoring opportunities. Having come through that derby without complication, the talismanic playmaker has been fully integrated into the team's preparations on natural grass at Vila Belmiro.

Uphill Task in the Second Leg

Santos face an uphill battle to keep their Copa do Brasil campaign alive. Goals from José Manuel López and Andreas Pereira handed Palmeiras a commanding 3-0 cushion in the reverse fixture, leaving the Peixe needing a three-goal victory simply to force a penalty shoot-out.

Neymar has registered eight goals and eight assists in 23 appearances across all competitions in 2026 following his rehabilitation from previous knee trouble. Santos will lean heavily on his creative output in the final third alongside Gabriel Barbosa and Álvaro Barreal as they attempt an improbable turnaround against Abel Ferreira's well-drilled Palmeiras side.