Neymar returns to Santos in bid for 2026 World Cup spot

Neymar has announced his return to Santos, the club where his career began, after parting ways with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal following an injury-ridden spell.

The Brazilian forward confirmed the move on social media, posting images from his early years at the São Paulo-based club, where football legend Pelé made his name.

"I will sign a contract with Santos Futebol Clube," Neymar wrote. "My feelings for the club and the fans have never changed."

Santos responded on their official account, saying: "Your home awaits you. Your people await you."

The 32-year-old will be presented at Santos' Estádio Urbano Caldeira on Friday in a ceremony featuring performances from several local music stars.

A troubled spell in Saudi Arabia

Neymar joined Al Hilal in august 2023, securing a lucrative deal reportedly worth $104 million per year. However, he managed just seven appearances for the club before suffering a cruciate ligament rupture in his left knee while on international duty with Brazil.

The injury, sustained during a 2026 World Cup qualifier in october, kept him sidelined for a year, and further hamstring and knee problems hampered his attempts at a comeback.

Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus recently admitted Neymar was struggling to return to his best, saying: "He can no longer play at the level we are used to. Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately."

A final chapter in brazil

Neymar, Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 international matches, is determined to make one last push for a place in the 2026 World Cup squad.

Despite interest from Major League Soccer clubs in the United States, he opted for a return to Brazil, believing Santos offers the right environment to regain match fitness.

"Now I need to play again," Neymar said. "And only a club like Santos can provide the love I need to prepare for the coming challenges of the next years."

Santos, who earned promotion back to the top division in 2024, will demand a lot from Neymar, with a packed schedule including the São Paulo State Championship, the Brazilian Cup, and the national league, which starts in march.

His return has sparked excitement among Santos supporters, but questions remain over whether he can still perform at the highest level.

From Pele's heir to a world record transfer

At the start of his career, Neymar was heralded as Pelé's successor. He scored 136 goals in 225 matches for Santos before moving to Barcelona in 2013, where he formed a lethal attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. The trio powered Barcelona to the 2015 Champions League title, with Neymar scoring in the 3-1 final victory over Juventus.

His 2014 World Cup campaign ended prematurely due to injury in the quarter-finals, with Brazil later suffering a humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany. However, he redeemed himself in 2016 by scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout as Brazil won Olympic gold in Rio.

In 2017, Paris Saint-Germain signed Neymar for a world-record €220 million (£189 million), but his time in France was marked by injuries and off-field controversies. Although he won five Ligue 1 titles and helped PSG reach the 2020 Champions League final, where they lost to Bayern Munich, his partnership with Messi and Kylian Mbappé never fully clicked.

PSG eventually offloaded Neymar to Al Hilal in 2023, but after an ill-fated spell in Saudi Arabia, he now returns to where it all began, hoping for one final resurgence.