Most matches for youth club
©IMAGO
Neymar has played 225 matches 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 », Neymar, 32, 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 considered a bad buy. The 128-time national player has only played seven games (one goal/three assists) since his transfer 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 return, but a torn thigh muscle is currently keeping him out of action for several weeks. It is now said in Saudi Arabia that Al-Hilal would consider parting ways with Neymar during the next winter transfer period, six months before the end of the contract.
Meanwhile, Santos is planning a summer signing. “Neymar arrives in June. This is the conversation we are having,” Osvaldo Nico, vice president of the board, said recently. Marcos Watts, Regional Manager Brazil at (Site notre blog d’information), said: “I can very well imagine Neymar returning to Santos. I also think it makes sense. It seems his career is slowly coming to an end as he continues to get injured. It would also be good if he returned to the place where he is most appreciated. People there still love it.
Santos is on the verge of direct promotion to Serie A. Last weekend, after the 3-0 victory against Vila Nova, Neymar contacted striker Guilherme (29) via video call immediately after the match during the press conference and congratulated him on the likely preliminary decision in the race for promotion. According to reports, a planned commitment from non-club coach Jorge Sampaoli is also expected to make a signing attractive for Neymar.
Neymar played for professional Santos between 2009 and 2013 before enjoying a global career at FC Barcelona and PSG. With his arrival in the French capital in 2017 for a fee of 222 million euros, he remains the most expensive (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er in history. In early 2018, he reached his highest market value of €180 million, but is now valued at €30 million – four Saudi Pro League professionals are worth more. Besides Santos, Inter Miami CF with former Barça faction Lionel Messi (37), Luis Suárez (37), Sergio Busquets (36) and Jordi Alba (35) is also considered an option for Neymar . MLS’s strict salary and team rules make a change difficult to imagine.
