Brazilian football superstar Neymar has officially rejoined his boyhood club, Santos, following the termination of his contract with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal.
The 32-year-old, who last played for Santos in 2013 before moving to Europe, has signed a short-term deal with the Brazilian club, according to BBC Sport.
Neymar’s return marks a homecoming after 12 years, during which he played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), winning multiple league titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Short-Lived Stint in Saudi Arabia
The Brazilian forward made headlines in 2023 when he joined Al-Hilal from PSG in a blockbuster $94 million transfer. However, his time in Saudi Arabia was marred by injuries, preventing him from making a significant impact.
Neymar managed just seven appearances for the club, scoring one goal before suffering a severe ACL injury in October 2023 while on international duty with Brazil. This injury effectively ended his campaign with Al-Hilal, leading both parties to mutually terminate his contract.
In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Neymar expressed his gratitude towards Al-Hilal and Saudi Arabia.
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“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,” Neymar wrote. “To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences. I always felt your love and passion for the game.”
Drastic Pay Cut at Santos
Neymar was one of the highest-paid players in the world during his time at Al-Hilal, reportedly earning between £1.6 million and £2.5 million per week. However, his return to Santos comes with a massive financial adjustment.
According to The Sun, Neymar will earn just over £30,000 per month at the Brazilian club—representing a staggering 99% pay cut. However, his image rights and sponsorship deals could significantly boost his earnings, potentially reaching nearly £1 million per month.
Despite the financial downgrade, Neymar’s return to Santos is driven by a desire to reignite his career and prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Santos President Welcomes Neymar Back
Santos president Marcelo Teixeira has been vocal about bringing Neymar back to the club where he first rose to fame.
“It is time, Neymar. It is time for you to come back to your people, to our home, to the club in our hearts,” Teixeira said.
During his first stint at Santos, Neymar won six major titles, including the prestigious Copa Libertadores in 2011, which propelled him to global stardom.
Aiming for the 2026 World Cup
Despite his recent injury struggles, Neymar remains Brazil’s all-time top goal scorer. His goal is to regain full fitness and be part of the Brazilian squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in North America.
His return to Santos provides him with a familiar environment to recover, regain match fitness, and prepare for the next chapter of his career.
The Information is Collected from MSN and The Sun.
