cruzeiro x santos is locked in for Sunday at 4: 00 PM ET at the Mineirão, with both teams arriving under pressure in the Brasileirão’s eighth round. Santos coach Cuca confirmed Neymar will miss the match under “load management, ” as the club closes preparations for his return to the technical area. On the Cruzeiro side, the mood is more optimistic around Kaio Jorge after progress in his recovery, though the final call still depends on the next evaluation.
Team news now: Neymar ruled out, Cuca completes final session
Santos completed preparations on Saturday morning (ET) with a tactical session and set-piece work as Cuca wrapped up plans for his re-debut in charge. Neymar remained inside the gym and did physiotherapy, with the club managing his workload.
Cuca will also be without Gabigol, who stayed in the internal area of CT Rei Pelé, and without Lautaro Díaz, with both Lautaro Díaz and Gabigol blocked by contractual conditions because they are on loan from the Minas Gerais club to Santos.
A possible Santos lineup mentioned ahead of Sunday is: Gabriel Brazão; Igor Vinicius, Lucas Veríssimo, Luan Peres and Escobar; Oliva, Willian Arão (Gabriel Bontempo) and Rollheiser; Barreal, Thaciano and Rony.
Cruzeiro X Santos: Kaio Jorge advances, but confirmation still pending
For Cruzeiro, the scenario around Kaio Jorge is described internally as more optimistic after he advanced in the recovery from a right-foot issue stemming from trauma suffered in the Campeonato Mineiro final. He has been participating in activities with fewer restrictions, increasing confidence that he can be available to interim coach Wesley Carvalho for Sunday.
Still, Cruzeiro’s official confirmation remains dependent on the next steps of evaluation. A scheduled Saturday training session at Toca da Raposa 2 is described as decisive for the staff to make the final decision on his presence.
Cruzeiro also had Lucas Romero and Bruno Rodrigues partially rejoin group activities after absences since the Campeonato Mineiro final. Romero is recovering from a rib fracture and Bruno Rodrigues from a right-thigh muscle injury, with both expected to return gradually.
Immediate reactions: Coaches and club staff outline what is and isn’t available
Cuca, head coach of Santos, confirmed Neymar as unavailable for the match due to load management, with the player kept off the field for internal work and physiotherapy. The Santos technical staff shaped the final plan with tactical and dead-ball training as the team looks for an immediate response in the league.
On the Cruzeiro side, the plan is being guided by interim head coach Wesley Carvalho, with the medical and coaching staff monitoring Kaio Jorge’s progression before a final determination on match availability.
Quick context: Why Sunday carries extra weight
Santos is seeking a reaction after going three league matches without a win, a run that led to Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s exit, leaving the team with six points in 16th place. Cruzeiro, still without a victory in Série A, sits second from bottom on three points and views the matchup as a direct opportunity to close ground.
What’s next: Final evaluations, final lists, then kickoff
Saturday’s final checks (ET) are set to shape the last decisions—especially for Cruzeiro as Kaio Jorge’s status approaches a definitive call, and for Santos as Cuca finalizes the match list that includes Tomás Rincón’s return to contention after his conversation with the coach. With kickoff set for 4: 00 PM ET on Sunday, cruzeiro x santos now turns on who is cleared, who is managed, and which team executes under pressure when the ball finally rolls at the Mineirão.
