New Delhi: Neymar has agreed on a deal to return to his boyhood club Santos 12 years after leaving them, the Brazilian outfit’s president Marcelo Teixeira has confirmed amid speculations.
The playmaker had terminated his contract with Saudi Arabia giants Al Hilal by mutual consent after an injury-ravaged 18-month tenure.
He picked up a knee injury during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to regain optimum match fitness since.
The 32-year-old had joined the Saudi side for 90m euros in August 2023 but could play only seven times for them, scoring once, due to a series of injury problems.
He is the world’s costliest footballer agreeing to a 222-million euros move from French champions Paris St-Germain in 2017.
Due to his anterior cruciate ligament injury, he has made only two appearances for Al Hilal this season, with the most recent being in November as a substitute.
‘Time to come back’
The 32-year-old helped Santos to six titles, including a Copa Libertadores trophy in 2011.
“It is the time (to come back), Neymar. It is time for you to come back to your people. To our home, to the club in our hearts,” Teixeira said in his social media accounts.
“Welcome, our boy Ney! A boy of Vila (Belmiro, Santos’ stadium). Come back to be happy again with the white and black shirt. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms.”
As per reports in the Brazilian media, Neymar will forfeit $25–30 million of his salary to return. He received €1.5 million tax-free free at Al Hilal while at Santos his weekly salary could be €50,000.
Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer with 79 goals in 128 international appearances, overtaking Pele’s 77 strikes in 91 matches.
Neymar had terminated his contract with Saudi Arabia giants Al Hilal by mutual consent after an injury-ravaged 18-month tenure. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
