Neymar’s masterclass in Santos’ 3–0 win away to Juventude was far more than a nostalgic reminder of his early days in Vila Belmiro; it was a season‑defining performance that dragged a giant club away from the relegation cliff and reasserted his status as a difference‑maker on the Brazilian stage. Playing through knee pain, the 33‑year‑old produced a ruthless 17‑minute hat‑trick that transformed a tense, anxious relegation fight into a night of hope and defiance for Santos. survival on the line This was not a dead‑rubber for mid‑table comfort; it was the 37th round of the Brasileirão, with Santos hovering dangerously close to the drop. They kicked off needing points to climb out of the relegation zone, while Juventude were already condemned to Serie B but still capable of turning the night into a nightmare for a fragile visitor. The pressure on Santos was immense. Results elsewhere involving direct rivals like Vitória and Internacional added further tension, with every goal in other s...
Despite Arsenal's renewed interest in acquiring goalkeeper Joan Garcia, Espanyol will not reduce their asking price. For more than a year, the Gunners have been pursuing Garcia as the Premier League team searches for a seasoned backup to David Raya. Despite Espanyol's impending relegation struggle, Garcia may be less inclined to make a trade if Raya is the clear No. 1 at the Emirates Stadium. The ball is now back in Arsenal's court because Espanyol will not take anything less than Garcia's entire €25 million release clause, according to Daily Mirror reports. Garcia is the favored option, and it is unlikely that Brazil veteran Neto will turn his current loan deal into a permanent one in 2025. Espanyol will benefit from a longer winter break as they have already been eliminated from the Copa del Rey. On January 11, they will visit Leganes as part of their La Liga comeback. With one point separating them from safety, the Catalans are now ranked 18th in the table.