Brazilian club Santos is in talks to bring Neymar back after the forward’s contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal was terminated by mutual consent.
The 32-year-old Brazil international is expected to sign a short-term deal at the club where his career began.
Neymar’s departure from Al-Hilal marks the end of a challenging stint in Saudi Arabia, where injuries limited his playing time.
He made only seven appearances for the club following his high-profile £77.6m move in August 2023, with just two appearances this season, the last coming in November as a substitute.
Sources close to Neymar highlighted the contract termination as a significant decision in the player’s career, allowing him to move on from his injury-plagued time at Al-Hilal.
In a statement, the Saudi club expressed gratitude towards Neymar for his contributions and wished him success moving forward.
While Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire made efforts to secure Neymar’s services, the Brazilian turned them down in favor of returning to Santos.
The Fire had placed Neymar on their “discovery list,” which meant they were the only MLS team able to negotiate with him in the U.S.
Neymar’s potential return to Santos could represent new chapter, where he can rediscover his form and rekindle the passion for the game that defined his early years.
