Last Updated:
Neymar returns to Santos nearly 12 years after he left the Brazilian team, ending his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Neymar left Al-Hilal and moved back to Santos (X)
Neymar has parted ways with Al-Hilal by mutual consent, the Saudi Pro League champions said on Monday, after a disappointing spell at the club for Brazil’s all-time top scorer.
The 32-year-old sustained a knee injury in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to get back to his best.
“Al-Hilal Club Company and Neymar Jr. have agreed to terminate their contractual relationship by mutual consent” The Saudi club posted on X.
Neymar took to social media to post a note for Al Hilal fans:
“To everyone at Al Hilal, to the fans, Thank you !! I gave everything to play and I wish we enjoyed better times on the pitch together .. To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences. I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life. I always felt your love and passion for the game. I will be following your journey ahead as a club and a country towards 2034. Your future will be incredible, special things are happening. And I will always support you !!!”
Neymar has played only seven games for Al-Hilal since moving from Paris St Germain for a reported fee of around 90 million euros ($98 million) in August 2023.
Brazilian media have reported that Neymar, who has scored 79 goals for the national team, will return to his childhood club Santos after leaving in 2013 to join Barcelona.
He moved to PSG from Barca for a world record fee of 222 million euros in August 2017.
Santos’ president told Brazilian superstar Neymar it was “time to return to (his) people” in a video published on social media on Tuesday.
Club president Marcelo Teixeira took to Instagram to deliver the message to Neymar but did not officially confirm the 32-year-old’s return to the club where he first broke through in 2009.
“The time has come, Neymar. The time has come for you to return to your people. To your home, to our beloved club,” said Teixeira.
“Welcome back, Ney boy!… Come and be happy again in the sacred jersey. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms.”
“What a pain it is to pack,” joked Neymar on his Instagram account on Tuesday, prior to Teixeira’s statement.
(With inputs from Agencies)
