Match story
- Botafogo created the clearer chances on xG (1.65 vs 1.47, Δ 0.18).
- Botafogo fired more attempts (18 vs 9 shots).
- Santos was more accurate in front of goal (78% on target vs 50%).
- Botafogo held more of the ball (55% possession).
Botafogo and Santos drew 2-2 in Serie A. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 30 stage in the 2025 season. The match was played at Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro. Rodrigo Jose Pereira de Lima, Brazil officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Botafogo vs Santos meeting in Serie A with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Botafogo and Santos. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Serie ARecorded meetings: 19 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
As speculation continues to grow, the former Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Al-Hilal star has offered another glimpse into his mindset without providing the definitive answer many fans were hoping to hear. Neymar has drawn renewed attention following recent comments about his future after retiring from the Brazilian national team. As speculation continues to grow, the former Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Al-Hilal star has offered another glimpse into his mindset without providing the definitive answer many fans were hoping to hear. The 34-year-old remains under contract with Santos until the end of 2026, but uncertainty continues to surround what will happen after that agreement expires. While his father believes there could still be another chapter ahead, Neymar himself has made it clear that the final decision will belong to him. Part of the uncertainty surrounding Neymar’s future comes after he officially ended his international career following Brazil‘s disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign. Muscular problems limited his involvement during the tournament, restricting him to only two appearances before the Selecao suffered an earlier-than-expected elimination. That World Cup became the final chapter of his remarkable international career, ending with Neymar as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 80 goals. Although the international chapter has closed, his club career remains undecided. Neymar of Brazil. Neymar refuses to commit to life after Santos The biggest talking point from the sixth Neymar Jr. Institute Auction in Sao Paulo came when the Brazilian icon was asked about his club future. Neymar admitted he has not decided whether he will continue playing after his Santos contract expires in December, leaving every possible scenario open, including remaining at Santos, joining another club or even retiring from professional soccer. “I don’t know how long I’ll keep playing. I’m not thinking about stopping, nor do I know how long I’ll carry on,” he explained during the charity event. He also outlined the approach he intends to take over the coming months: “I have a contract with Santos until December. I intend to see it through, to honour the Santos shirt as best I can, and then I’ll think about it when my contract ends — whether I stay at Santos, leave, move on, stop playing or carry on. I really don’t know what I’m going to do. There’s still a long way to go until December, so let’s take it one step at a time.” Focus remains on finishing the season Rather than rushing into a decision, Neymar emphasized that his attention remains firmly on helping Santos through the remainder of the campaign. The Brazilian returned to his boyhood club in January 2025 after an injury-plagued spell with Al-Hilal, hoping to rediscover both fitness and confidence. Since then, he has gradually worked his way back into the squad while contributing to the club’s efforts in domestic competitions. The veteran forward has repeatedly stressed that every match is part of a longer rebuilding process after several difficult years interrupted by injuries. “I’m feeling good physically, more and more so, out on the pitch,” he said.
Cristiano Ronaldo could have Mohamed Salah as a rival, after reports indicate the forward is close to joining the Saudi Pro League. Mohamed Salah could soon share a league — and a rivalry — with Cristiano Ronaldo. The Egyptian forward, who departed Liverpool as a free agent after nine years at Anfield, remains on course for a move to Al Ittihad, in what would set up direct confrontations with Ronaldo’s Al Nassr for years to come. Al Ittihad have offered Salah an annual salary in the region of $25 million, and the 33-year-old has reportedly accepted those terms in principle, with the move said to be approaching its final stages. However, the deal is not entirely in Salah’s hands. Al Ittihad had initially planned to sell Moussa Diaby this summer to make room for the Egyptian on the right wing, but the club reversed course in late July, confirming they had no intention of letting the Frenchman go. That stance has since been complicated by Diaby himself, who has pushed to leave and is reportedly in direct contact with Inter Milan over a move to Serie A, while Bayer Leverkusen — his former club — are also working to bring him back to the Bundesliga on reduced wages. Until Al Ittihad resolve Diaby’s future, Salah’s arrival remains contingent on a spot opening up in the squad. Moussa Diaby of Al Ittihad. (Getty Images) Should the move go through, Salah would find Ronaldo waiting on the other side of the Saudi Pro League table. Ronaldo, who signed a contract extension with Al-Nassr through 2027, led the club to the Saudi Pro League title last season, and the prospect of Salah joining as a direct rival has added an extra layer of intrigue to a transfer saga that has dragged on for months. Turkey also keeping tabs on Salah Al Ittihad are not the only side being linked with Salah, and Turkey has re-emerged as a talking point in recent days. Trabzonspor were reported to have moved ahead of Besiktas in the race, with some Turkish outlets claiming the two sides were closing in on personal terms for a two-year deal. However, Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan shut that down directly, stating, “there is no such agreement,” and adding that no talks had even been scheduled. Besiktas, for their part, had already tabled an offer worth roughly €10 million net per season plus €2 million in bonuses on a 1+1-year deal, but that proposal has reportedly been shelved as talks with Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia continue to advance.
Despite leading South Africa to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time, Hugo Broos has decided to leave his position. The post South Africa announce Broos exit following historic World Cup campaign appeared first on SoccerNews.
Neymar received a special tribute at Santos stadium with a bust and a statue, now turning alongside Pele as the two players to have specific tribute areas in the museum. Neymar’s legendary career is entering its final chapter following his recent retirement from the Brazilian national team, but his legacy at the club level is already set in stone. The superstar forward has officially been immortalized at Vila Belmiro Stadium, where Santos unveiled a dedicated museum exhibit featuring a custom bust and statue, placing him alongside all-time icon Pelé with a permanent tribute area. On Thursday, July 30, Santos inaugurated a newly designed wing honoring Neymar Jr. inside the Memorial das Conquistas (Memorial of Achievements), the museum located inside the club’s iconic stadium. The brand-new attraction showcases a bronze bust, a statue, and an autographed blue Santos No. 10 jersey. It was a landmark day for soccer fans worldwide and a deeply personal homecoming for the former Menino da Vila (“Village Boy“). Santos FC officially opened the dedicated space to celebrate the career of the idol long affectionately referred to by local supporters as the “Prince of the Vila.“ Renato Guedes, the lead sculptor behind the artwork, reflected on the challenge of capturing the essence of a living legend. “The intention was always not just to portray the athlete, but to portray the role model he is for the new generation, for the boys who dream of playing football and will see in him the benchmark of futebol arte (beautiful game),” Guedes stated in the club’s official website. Neymar expressed his gratitude in an emotional social media post following the ceremony: “Today I was caught by surprise… being honored by your beloved team is incredible. Being part of the history of Santos is an honor! I thank God first and foremost, my family, and the entire Santista nation that supported me from my first steps in SANTOS FC’s youth academy!“ Os bastidores da inauguração do espaço dedicado a Neymar Jr no Memorial das Conquistas. Uma homenagem especial ao nosso Príncipe da Vila! 🔟✨ pic.twitter.com/sDV2iqiQgh— Santos FC (@SantosFC) July 30, 2026 He closed his message by reaffirming his devotion to the club that launched his career. “We’ve had many emotional and unforgettable moments… but we’ve also had bad times, and all of you were by my side. I’m a fan on the pitch, fighting, battling, and giving everything I can at every moment; I’ve made mistakes countless times and I’ll make mistakes again (hopefully not), but always wanting what’s best for Peixão! Thank you, SANTISTA NATION, for everything,” he wrote. Engraved at the base of the bust are Neymar’s major achievements with Santos, including three consecutive Campeonato Paulista titles (2010–2012), the 2010 Copa do Brasil, and the 2011 Copa Libertadores. During his initial run with O Peixe, he also won the 2011 FIFA Puskas Award, scored 136 goals in 225 official matches, and secured the largest transfer fee in club history via his historic €88 million move to FC Barcelona. The Prince joins the King On its official website, Santos formally dubbed Neymar the Príncipe da Vila (“Prince of the Village“), the title bestowed upon him as the heir to O Rei Pele. While the museum features team exhibits honoring historic eras like the 1960s “Os Santásticos” squad and the “Sereias da Vila” women’s team, Neymar and Pele stand as the only two individual players with dedicated personal galleries inside the facility. Pelé’s legendary gallery, known as “The King’s Space,” houses iconic memorabilia including game-worn jerseys, boots, personal trophies, and a symbolic crown and scepter honoring his status as soccer royalty. It also features his personal locker, which has remained locked and untouched since his final match for Santos in 1974, one of the most sacred sites at Vila Belmiro.
France centre-back moves to Blues in £52m transferStones signs two-year contract with Serie A club Maxence Lacroix has joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace to become the club’s fifth signing of the summer. The France international, who won the FA Cup and Conference League with Palace, was the Blues’ main defensive target of the window.Lacroix, 26, signs a six-year deal with Xabi Alonso’s side. “I am really happy to be part of this beautiful club,” said Lacroix, who played three times for France at the World Cup, including in their 6-4 bronze medal match defeat by England. Continue reading...
Following his latest announcement, discussions have emerged over how one of the nation's greatest players could be honored after bringing an extraordinary international career to an end. Neymar’s remarkable journey with Brazil may have reached its conclusion on the pitch, but another memorable chapter could still be waiting. Following his latest announcement, discussions have emerged over how one of the nation’s greatest players could be honored after bringing an extraordinary international career to an end. While his focus now remains on club soccer, the conversation surrounding his legacy continues to grow. The Brazilian star leaves behind a career filled with unforgettable moments, individual records and emotional highs and lows. His influence stretched across more than a decade, helping shape an era for the national team while becoming one of the most recognizable faces in world soccer. The 34-year-old officially ended any remaining speculation after Santos defeated Universidad Central 4-2 in the Copa Sudamericana. Speaking after the match, Neymar made it clear that he has no intention of returning to represent Brazil following the country’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup. “My time with the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave my blood, my life, I always fought for the yellow jersey, but now I don’t want to anymore,” Neymar said. His comments reinforced the emotional message he first delivered after Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup round of 16. That match saw Neymar come off the bench to score a stoppage-time penalty, a goal that ultimately became the final strike of his international career. Brazil prepares special farewell Although Neymar insists his international days are finished, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is reportedly considering organizing an official farewell match to celebrate his contribution to the Selecao. According to O Globo, discussions are underway, although no date has been established because the forward remains an active player at club level. The proposal remains in its early stages, but it reflects the enormous respect Neymar commands within Brazilian soccer. Rather than allowing his final appearance to come in the disappointment of World Cup elimination, the federation hopes supporters could eventually have the chance to celebrate his achievements on a dedicated occasion. Neymar Jr #10 of Brazil reacts after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. Career filled with records Neymar’s international résumé places him among the greatest players ever to represent Brazil. After making his senior debut in 2010, he accumulated 130 appearances and scored a record 80 goals, surpassing Pelé to become the country’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer. He also became only the second Brazilian after Pele to score in four different FIFA World Cups, finding the net during the 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions. Those accomplishments came despite injuries repeatedly interrupting his biggest tournaments. His international journey also included one of Brazilian soccer’s most emotional victories. Neymar captained the national side to its historic first Olympic gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games, scoring during the final before converting the decisive penalty in the shootout against Germany.
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