Most games for the youth club
©IMAGO
Neymar played 225 games for FC Santos, more than for any other club. A potential return to his boyhood club has been a topic for some time and it seems to be becoming more and more concrete. Now, according to the Brazilian portal “UOL”, the 32-year-old Neymar has given the green light for a move, while there is speculation about an early termination of his contract at Al-Hilal SFC.
Neymar’s contract with Al-Hilal expires next summer and so far the Brazilian can be classified as a bad purchase. The 128-time national player has only played seven games (one goal/three assists) since moving from PSG to Al-Hilal in August 2023 for the Saudi record fee of 80 million euros. Neymar suffered a serious knee injury in October last year and recently celebrated his comeback, but a torn thigh muscle is currently keeping him out of action for several weeks. There is now talk in Saudi Arabia that Al-Hilal is considering parting ways with Neymar in the coming winter transfer period – six months before the end of the contract.
Meanwhile, Santos is planning a summer signing. “Neymar is coming in June. That is the conversation we are having,” said Osvaldo Nico, Vice President of the Board of Directors, recently. Marcos Watts, Area Manager Brazil at Transfermarkt, said: “I can actually very well imagine Neymar returning to Santos. I would also think it makes sense. It seems like his career is slowly coming to an end because he keeps getting injured. It would also feel right for him to return to the place where he is most valued. The people there still adore him.”
Santos is on the verge of direct promotion back to the Série A. Last weekend, after the 3-0 win against Vila Nova, Neymar contacted striker Guilherme (29) via video call immediately after the game during the press conference and congratulated him on the likely preliminary decision in the promotion race. According to reports, a planned commitment by the clubless coach Jorge Sampaoli should also make a signature attractive to Neymar.
Neymar played for Santos’ professionals between 2009 and 2013 before enjoying a global career at FC Barcelona and PSG. With his move to the French capital in 2017 for a fee of 222 million euros, he is still the most expensive footballer in history. At the beginning of 2018 he reached his highest market value of 180 million euros, but is now valued at 30 million euros – four professionals in the Saudi Pro League are more valuable. In addition to Santos, Inter Miami CF with ex-Barça faction Lionel Messi (37), Luis Suárez (37), Sergio Busquets (36) and Jordi Alba (35) is also considered an option for Neymar. The MLS’s strict salary and squad rules make a change difficult to imagine.
