Veteran forward Neymar is on the verge of extending his contract with Santos, as confirmed by the Brazilian Serie A club’s president Marcelo Teixeira. The 33-year-old’s current deal is due to expire on June 30, and local media have speculated about a potential move to Major League Soccer. However, Santos has intensified its efforts to keep the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star in recent days and is optimistic that an agreement will be reached soon. “We are talking to Neymar’s representatives,” club president Teixeira told Radio Bandeirantes, as reported by Xinhua. “We are making great progress with our negotiations and are very close to a new agreement that would allow Neymar to stay for a new period.” Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has struggled with form and fitness since returning from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament suffered in October 2023. This year, he has made just 12 appearances across all competitions for Santos, scoring three goals and providing three assists, after rejoining his boyhood club on a six-month contract in January. Teixeira defended the player against criticism that his off-field behaviour and celebrity lifestyle were affecting his game. “Off the pitch, he has his issues that are always very controversial,” Teixeira said. “His profile means that everything he does has worldwide repercussions. We understand that.” Teixeira added that his aim was to help Neymar recover in time to play for Brazil at next year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. “We all want to see Neymar there, and he wants to play,” he said. “He’s going through a recovery process and we want to help him through it so that he can come back better and stronger very soon.” Neymar hopes to lead Brazil into the next World Cup as captain of his country. With 128 caps and 79 goals for the Selecao, he is determined to have one more shot at global glory. (With IANS inputs)