Brazilian football superstar Neymar Jr. is on the verge of a sensational return to his boyhood club, Santos, according to sources who spoke to ESPN on Sunday.
Discussions surrounding the termination of Neymar’s contract with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal are reportedly nearing completion, with final details still under negotiation.
Football journalist Fabrizio Romano shared on Sunday via his X handle that a verbal agreement between Neymar and Santos has been reached. “Formal steps to follow next week for the final formula of the deal from Al Hilal and contracts to be checked. Neymar already said yes to the move,” Romano posted.
If finalized, Neymar is expected to travel to Brazil this week and could make his Santos comeback on February 5—coinciding with his 33rd birthday.
Neymar joined Al Hilal in the summer of 2023 for a reported $97.6 million transfer fee from Paris Saint-Germain but has had a limited impact at the club. The 32-year-old made only seven appearances in league and cup competitions, scoring a single goal in an AFC Champions League match against Nassaji Mazandaran on October 3, 2023.
The potential move marks a return to where Neymar’s professional career began. He debuted for Santos in 2009 and famously led them to a Copa Libertadores title in 2011, scoring in the decisive 2-1 victory over Peñarol in the final.
On the international stage, Neymar has earned 128 caps for Brazil, becoming the country’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals. He was also a key player in Brazil’s gold-medal-winning campaign at the 2016 Summer Olympics on home soil.
Neymar’s return to Santos would not only mark a full-circle moment for his career but also provide the club with a massive boost as they prepare for the upcoming season.
