Relegated to the second division of Brazilian football, Santos will have a new president, Marcelo Teixeira. Neymar has made a unique request to assist Santos in these challenging times.
As Santos faces the reality of playing in the second division, the newly elected president, Marcelo Teixeira, has decided to retire the jersey with the number 10, once worn by Pelé, until the club regains its place in Serie A.
In a bid to motivate the players further, Neymar has also asked for the removal of his number. Teixeira revealed to Globoesporte that the former Paris Saint-Germain player contacted him to request the retirement of the number 11 (which he wore at Santos) as a sign of solidarity with the club’s initiative.
« He called me yesterday and said, ‘President, you’ve already retired the number 10 until you return to the first division. So, retire the number 11 until I return.’ I am already happy, full of hope. We will also retire the number 11. We await Neymar’s return. He gives me a lot of hope. We will soon retire the number 10, then the 11. Pelé can no longer wear the number 10. It will be worn by a new star only when we return to the first division. And the 11 will also await the return of our star player, » Teixeira declared.