Santos FC faces financial crisis as June salaries go unpaid, club buried under over R$1 billion in debt

The historic Brazilian club that launched Pelé and brought Neymar home is now struggling to keep its finances afloat — and its players are feeling the pinch.

Santos FC has delayed the payment of June salaries for its first-team players due to a severe cash flow shortage, according to Brazilian media outlet Globo. The club is now scrambling to secure new funding to normalize the situation, though no definitive payment date has been set.

A Recurring Problem

This is not the first time the Alvinegro Praiano has failed to meet its payroll obligations. In May, the club also delayed salary payments, eventually settling the debt just one day late. However, the current crisis appears more severe, as June’s wages remain unpaid with no clear resolution in sight.

Image Rights and a Billion-Reais Debt

Compounding the salary delays, Santos also owes its first-team players two months’ worth of image rights fees — a recurring financial obstacle throughout 2026. The club’s total consolidated debt has now surpassed R$1 billion (approximately 1,094,039,000 by the end of March.

Neymar’s Situation — and Potential Legal Trouble

Brazilian star Neymar, who returned to Santos in January on a contract running through December 31, is at the center of the financial storm. Brazilian media has previously reported that the cost of retaining Neymar is “equivalent to the monthly salary of about 4-5 regular players”.

Beyond his salary, Santos also signed an image rights agreement with NR Sports, a company owned by Neymar’s parents. The club’s failure to pay salaries and image rights fees could expose Santos to legal action from Neymar’s family company. Earlier this year, reports even suggested that Neymar could leave the club for free if the financial crisis persisted.

Employees Protected — For Now

Amid the turmoil, the club has managed to pay all other staff on time. Salaries for administrative employees, women’s team players, and all youth academy athletes have been paid in full and within deadline.

On-Field Preparations Continue

Despite the financial noise off the pitch, the first-team squad has continued training at the CT Rei Pelé. The coaching staff has given Neymar some rest and is planning a meeting with the star to discuss his future at the club. Santos is scheduled to return to competitive action on July 16, when they face Botafogo at the Nilton Santos stadium in the Brasileirão.

President Marcelo Teixeira is actively seeking new lines of credit and extraordinary revenue to stabilize the football department and address the club’s structural debts. For now, players and fans alike wait anxiously to see whether Santos can navigate its way out of this financial storm before it wreaks havoc on the pitch.