November 12 – Pelé’s old club Santos have confirmed their return to the Brazilian top flight after gaining an insurmountable lead in the Serie B.
Last year, Santos were relegated for the first time in their 112-year history, but the seaside club has bounced back after securing promotion with a 2-0 win away to Coritiba on Monday, enough to open up a five-point gap with two match days remaining this season. Both Mirassol and Novorizontino trail on 63 points and Sport Recife sit in fourth on 60 points, eight points behind the league leaders.
Wendel and Romulo Otero scored first-half goals to hand Santos the three points.
“It was the most difficult year in the history of this club,” midfielder Joao Schmidt said. “A lot of courage … It’s almost mission accomplished, we’re looking for the title.”
Santos president Marcelo Teixeira said he has spoken to Neymar about a possible return to the club.
The Brazilian star plies his trade at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia on a lucrative two-year deal, but Neymar has mostly been sidelined with injury. Neymar enjoyed his formative years at the club and won the Copa Libertadores with Santos in 2011.
In 2023, Santos were relegated, prompting riots in the city. In the 60s, the club rose to prominence under Pelé who led his side to two Copa Libertadores victories. They also toured Europe and the rest of the world in exhibition matches.
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