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Brazilian football icon Neymar has signed a six-month contract with Santos, the club where he began his professional career, following a brief and injury-hit stint with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
The 32-year-old forward’s return to Santos was confirmed by the club’s vice president, Fernando Bonavides, who expressed hopes of keeping the star until the 2026 World Cup. “What we are hoping is that he remains with us until next year’s World Cup,” Bonavides said during the announcement.
Neymar’s move to Al Hilal in August 2023, following the paths of other high-profile players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, was initially seen as a significant step in his career. However, after playing only seven games for the Saudi club, Neymar was sidelined due to a severe knee injury that kept him out of action for a year. Despite a lucrative contract reportedly worth $104 million annually, the Brazilian’s time in Riyadh was marred by injuries.
After suffering a ruptured cruciate ligament while playing for Brazil in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, Neymar struggled to regain full fitness, enduring further hamstring and knee injuries as he sought to return to the pitch.
Neymar received a warm welcome back to Santos during a special ceremony at the Estádio Urbano Caldeira, which included performances from local music stars. Despite the challenges of the past year, Neymar appeared pleased to be back at the club where his professional journey began.
