Santos has announced its squad for Tuesday’s Brasileirão match against Mirassol, scheduled for 9:30 PM local time (12:30 AM UTC) at the José Maria de Campos Maia stadium. The team returns to action after a nearly two-week break, seeking their first away victory of the season.
A key storyline heading into the match is the absence of star forward Neymar, who has been left out of the squad for load management. The club also confirmed that Zé Rafael will miss the contest due to a muscle edema in his right thigh. However, there’s positive news with the inclusion of new signing Christian Oliva, who is in contention for his debut with Peixe.
Santos manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda has named a 24-man squad, comprised of three goalkeepers, three center-backs, four full-backs, eight midfielders, and six forwards. Typically, the third goalkeeper, João Pedro, is the player omitted from the final 23-man matchday roster.
The decision to rest Neymar comes as Santos carefully manage the forward’s workload following his return from surgery earlier in 2026. Neymar recently broke his goal drought, scoring twice in a 2-1 victory over Vasco da Gama, and the club is keen to ensure he remains fit for upcoming matches, including potential selection for the Brazilian national team ahead of the World Cup. Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has indicated Neymar will be considered if fit.
Oliva’s inclusion provides Vojvoda with another option in midfield. The new arrival will be looking to make an immediate impact as Santos aim to improve their form in the Brasileirão. The team is currently seeking consistency after a mixed start to the campaign.
The full Santos squad list is as follows: Goalkeepers – Diógenes, João Pedro, and Gabriel Brazão; Center-backs – Zé Ivaldo, Luan Peres, and Adonis Frías; Full-backs – Vinicius Lira, Mayke, Igor Vinicius, and Escobar; Midfielders – Schmidt, Willian Arão, Gabriel Menino, Christian Oliva, Miguelito, Rollheiser, Gustavo Henrique, and Gabriel Bontempo; Forwards – Gabriel Barbosa (Gabigol), Rony, Thaciano, Lautaro Diaz, Moisés, and Barreal.
Santos will be hoping to capitalize on the home advantage of Mirassol, but will necessitate to overcome their struggles on the road. The team’s last match saw them secure a vital win against Vasco da Gama, a result that boosted morale and provided a platform for further progress. Neymar’s two goals in that match were a significant moment, silencing critics who had questioned his form and fitness.
Following the match against Mirassol, Santos will return to Vila Belmiro for a highly anticipated clash against Corinthians on Sunday. That match is expected to draw a large crowd and will be a key test for Vojvoda’s side as they look to climb the Brasileirão table.
Fans can follow updates from the Mirassol match on the official Santos FC channels and through live score updates from major sports news providers. The club will likely provide post-match analysis and insights into Neymar’s continued recovery and preparation for future games.
Next up for Santos is the derby match against Corinthians on Sunday, offering another opportunity to build momentum in the Brasileirão.
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