By The Merit Newspaper – Sports Desk
Santos, Brazil — November 6, 2026
Brazilian football club Santos FC have appointed Neymar da Silva Santos, father and manager of Brazilian football superstar Neymar Jr., as the club’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), in a move expected to strengthen its administrative structure and commercial operations.
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The appointment was announced on Friday by Santos president Marcelo Teixeira following an agreement with the businessman, popularly known as Neymar Pai. He takes up the position with immediate effect, initially on a contract running until December 2026.
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According to Brazilian sports publication Globo, the new CEO will play a strategic role in the club’s administration, coordinating and integrating key departments, including football, marketing and new business development.
In addition to his executive responsibilities, Neymar’s father will also serve as president of the Instituto Meninos da Vila, an initiative focused on identifying and developing young football talents while maintaining connections with the club’s former stars.
His appointment formalises the growing influence he has had at Santos since his son returned to the Brazilian club in early 2025. Through NR Sports, the family’s business outfit, he has been involved in several initiatives aimed at improving the club’s infrastructure and commercial prospects.
Among his previous contributions were projects involving improvements to the Vila Belmiro Stadium and facilities for the club’s youth academy. He also played a significant role in helping Santos resolve a FIFA transfer ban through a reported financial arrangement worth R$12 million.
The appointment comes at a crucial period for Santos, with the club preparing for its presidential election scheduled for December 12. Neymar Pai’s initial contract is expected to run until the end of the current administration, with his continued stay dependent on the outcome of the election and the possible re-election of Marcelo Teixeira.
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Meanwhile, the appointment does not mean that the club’s existing football administration will be completely replaced. Alexandre Mattos, who oversees the football department, is expected to retain his position, while the new CEO will focus on broader executive coordination and strategic development.
Neymar Jr., who rose to international prominence after emerging from Santos’ youth system, remains one of the club’s most recognisable figures. His return in 2025 renewed global attention on the Brazilian side, where he began his professional career before moving to European football.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the latest development represents another significant chapter in the relationship between the Neymar family and Santos, as the club seeks to strengthen its management, expand its commercial opportunities and build a more sustainable future.
