OFFICIAL: Neymar returns to boyhood club Santos

They say that in life you always go back to where you were happy. In this case, Neymar Jr is returning to the Vila Belmiro neighbourhood in the Brazilian city of Santos to once again enjoy the football that made him rise to fame and sign for FC Barcelona when he was just a young talent. 

The former FC Barcelona star terminated his contract with Al Hilal by mutual agreement on Tuesday, having been announced by the Saudi league club via a statement on social media. In addition, Santos president Marcelo Teixeira confirmed the prodigal son's return by uploading a post with Neymar on Instagram with the caption ‘It's time to come home’.

Neymar announced Santos' return on Thursday on X. The former Paris Saint-Germain player thus ends a failed spell at Al Hilal, who paid the French club 98 million euros for him, along with an exorbitant salary of $107 million a year.

"I will sign a contract with Santos Futebol Clube," Neymar wrote on social media in a post accompanied by images of his past with the Sao Paulo-based team, where football icon Pele spent most of his career. Santos' X account replied to Neymar's post, saying: "Your home awaits you. Your people await you."

Neymar was one of football's biggest stars alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema who left for Saudi Arabia due to lucrative offers from Saudi clubs. However, a cruciate ligament tear has seen the Brazilian attacker make just seven appearances since joining Al Hilal in August 2023.

Therefore, the former FC Barcelona star returns to Santos to begin his second spell at the club for which he played five seasons from 2008 to 2013, during which time he made 225 official appearances, scoring 135 goals and providing 62 assists.

 

January 30, 2025