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Neymar Jr. is reportedly all set to make a sensational return to his boyhood club Santos this month, terminating the contract with his current club Al-Hilal.
According to a report from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, the verbal agreement between Neymar and Santos is already through, and the deal is imminent to be finalized.
Neymar's current club Al-Hilal is expected to pen the deal with Santos in the coming days, as Neymar is fully asserted to the move.
🚨🇧🇷 BREAKING: Neymar’s return to Santos now imminent as verbal agreement has been reached.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 26, 2025
Formal steps to follow next week for final formula of the deal from Al Hilal and contracts to be checked.
Neymar already said yes to the move…
…here we go, soon. 🔙🏡 pic.twitter.com/5IQIrLXxpj
A thrilling comeback to the roots
Following a long-going feud with Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar left the French side in August 2023 to join the Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal on a huge two-year contract worth €90 million.
However, his spell in the Arabian Gulf has not been a cakewalk, as he frequently suffered injuries. Neymar had the biggest blow in October 2023, suffering an ACL tear which left him out of the following AFC Champions League campaign.
Neymar came back to play for Al-Hilal after almost a year in October 2024. Although he had some game-time at first, in the very next game, Neymar suffered another hamstring injury, sidelining him for the remainder of the year.
Al-Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus stated his concerns about Neymar just a week ago, on 17 January 2025.
He is a player who leaves no doubt, a world-class player. But the truth is that physically, Neymar can no longer play at the level we are used to. Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.
Al-Hilal management is not keen to pen down a new deal with Neymar due to his injury woes, as it opened a door for an emotional return to his roots.
Neymar played in the youth ranks of Santos from 2003 to 2009, marking his stature as one of the biggest emerging talents coming out of Brazil.
Representing the Santos senior team from 2009 to 2013, Neymar accumulated 136 goals and 64 assists in 225 matches across all competitions.
However, his most significant period in European football was spent playing for FC Barcelona from 2013 to 2017, with 105 goals and 76 assists in 186 matches, clinching two LaLigas and the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League.
Can Neymar compete for the national team selection?
Brazil National team's head coach Dorival Júnior has significantly prioritized picking players from the Brazilian football divisions since his tenure began.
Over the last two years, Neymar has made very less appearances for the national team, leaving him uncertain about his future with Brazil. He was also dropped out of the squad for the friendlies in September 2024. Since the 2022 World Cup, Neymar has only played 20 games collectively for his club and country.
With the 2026 World Cup at stake which is only half-a-year away, it will be thrilling for the fans to see if Neymar can enter the national team roster. However, Dorival Júnior stated back in November 2024, that he is closely monitoring Neymar's progress.
🚨🇧🇷 Brazil head coach Dorival Jr: “I can confirm that Neymar made himself available to be here with, but having played little minutes since the injury we respect the decision of his club”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 1, 2024
“We will be ready for his return in the next call up where he will be ready”. pic.twitter.com/KeY255L46l
Neymar has been sensational for Brazil, bagging 79 goals and 59 assists in 128 appearances including friendlies. However, he has not yet acquired the World Cup glory and the Samba fans will surely want to witness him for one probable last time in the Seleção shirt.
Neymar's return to Santos and the Brazilian league football will benefit the forward only if he manages to recover from his injury spree and earn significant game-time to compete against the present core of the national team.
There is another obstacle for Neymar, which may be worrying; Santos is currently playing in Serie B after being relegated last season. However, Santos is topping the Serie B leaderboard and will be promoted to the premier division.
Dorival Júnior has plenty of options for the forward berths, but would it be risky to leave Neymar out of the squad for a tournament such as the World Cup? Honestly, we don't know.
Neymar in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers:
— Ginga Bonito 🇧🇷 (@GingaBonitoHub) October 15, 2021
8 Games
7 Goals🥈
7 Assists🥇
14 Goal involvements🥇
29 Key passes🥇
9 Big chances created🥇
107 Duels won🥇
53 Dribbles🥇
42 Times fouled🥇
2 Penalties won🥇
PUT SOME RESPECT ON HIS NAME! 🤴🏽 pic.twitter.com/nVJmRglZfD
In the past, we have witnessed Neymar struggling for his club but he has always delivered his best with the national team. Brazil's runner-up finish in the 2020 Copa America or the quarter-final finish in the 2022 World Cup; Neymar always gave his sweat and blood for the Seleção shirt.
Significantly, both of these times he had to suffer frequent injuries while playing for his then-club PSG.
Neymar will return to his boyhood club and a more familiar environment. Will the comfort zone bring out the beast in the greatest modern-day Brazilian footballer? Only time can tell.