Brazilian club Santos has finalised an agreement to bring back Neymar after the forward’s contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal was mutually terminated. The 32-year-old Brazilian soccer star, who holds the record for most goals scored for Brazil, is set to sign a short-term deal with the club where his career began.
According to sources close to Neymar, the most important factor in his decision to return to Brazil was the termination of his contract with Al-Hilal. His stint in Saudi Arabia was hampered by injuries, with only seven games for the club following his £77.6 million transfer in August 2023. Neymar appeared in only two games this season, the latest as a substitute in November.
Al-Hilal released a statement thanking Neymar for his contributions, saying, “The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided at Al-Hilal, and wishes the player success in his career.”
Meanwhile, Major League Soccer (MLS) team, the Chicago Fire, attempted to sign Neymar, but he declined in favour of returning to Santos. The Fire had put Neymar on their “discovery list,” making them the only MLS team allowed to engage with him in the United States. Inter Miami was also connected to a reunion between Neymar and his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Neymar remains the most expensive player in football history, following his £200 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. After joining Al-Hilal on a two-year deal worth £129 million annually, Neymar had roughly seven months remaining on his contract. Despite the promise of creating “new sporting history” in Saudi Arabia, his time there was disrupted by injury. He suffered a torn ACL during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, and although he returned in October 2024, he has not featured in a match since dealing with a hamstring issue.
Neymar’s return to Santos would bring his career full circle. After progressing through Santos’ development system, he scored 136 goals in 225 games before joining Barcelona in 2013. He won two La Liga crowns, a Champions League trophy, and a Club World Cup during his four seasons with the Catalan club. After that, he went to Paris, where he won five Ligue 1 titles before a brief and turbulent stay in Saudi Arabia.
Notably, Neymar surpassed Pele to become Brazil’s all-time leading male goalscorer with 78 goals. However, he has not played for his national team since the knee injury he sustained in 2023.
A return to Santos could be just the boost Neymar needs to rediscover his passion and confidence on the pitch. With an eye on the upcoming World Cup, this move would also present an opportunity for Neymar to lead Brazil toward a potential sixth title on the global stage.
