Santos Appoints Neymar Sr. as New Chief Executive Officer
Santos appointed Neymar Sr. as CEO through 2026 to oversee management, marketing, and football operations. The move formalizes his growing administrative role at the Brazilian club where his son plays.
Santos announced on Friday that Neymar Sr., who also serves as the star player's agent, has been appointed as the club's chief executive officer. According to the club statement, Neymar da Silva Santos will oversee management and coordinate between football operations, marketing, and new business ventures. His contract runs until the end of 2026, and according to reports in Brazil, he will continue in the role if incumbent president Marcelo Teixeira is re-elected in the elections scheduled for December 12.
"We work every day to find solutions and alternatives to improve Santos' situation and strengthen our management," Teixeira said in the statement. "The arrival of Neymar Sr. as the new CEO is another step in this process. I am confident that with his experience and knowledge, we can advance further and build a stronger club together."
Expanding Influence and Financial Backing
The appointment formalizes the father's growing involvement with Santos since his son's return to the club in 2025. Neymar Sr. founded NR Sports, the company that holds the rights to the forward's name and image, and through it has already been involved in several significant club initiatives. According to the "Globo" website, he helped recruit partners to renovate the locker rooms and paint the stands at the Vila Belmiro stadium, as well as promote a new complex for the youth academy, with an investment estimated at eight million real.
It was also reported that Santos granted NR Sports six advertising spaces on the team's kits in exchange for a payment of 12 million real aimed at lifting a transfer ban imposed on the club due to a debt owed to Monaco over the Jean Lucas transfer. Alongside his CEO duties, the father will also head the "Meninos da Vila" institute, dedicated to scouting young talents and connecting with club legends. He steps into a role that has remained vacant since Pedro Martins' departure in May 2025.
Club Structure and Sporting Context
According to "Folha de S.Paulo", this is a paid position, and the agreement is not part of a move to acquire the club or transform it into a corporate football entity owned by investors. The stated goal is to strengthen professional management, increase revenues, and prepare for the 2027 season.
Santos currently sits in ninth place in the Brazilian league, with 47 points after 34 matches. Neymar, who returned last year to the club where he began his career before moving to Barcelona and later Paris Saint-Germain, will now see his father not only as his personal representative but also as one of the club's top executive officials.
