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Neymar closes his return to Santos after signing deal

Santos FC, the club where Neymar was born, seem to be on the verge of a deal that would mark a milestone in their recent history: the return of their prodigal son. According to reports in Brazilian media such as UOL and Ge, the Paulista team has already reached an understanding with the 32-year-old striker, who is now looking to resolve his departure from Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia in order to make the final move. This possible return has not only generated great expectation among Santos fans, but also throughout Brazilian football.

According to sources, Neymar has already said ‘yes’ to Santos, and the terms of the contract are fully defined. However, the main obstacle is the length of his contract with Al-Hilal, which expires in June 2025. Neymar is hoping to secure his exit through a loan deal or an early termination. This scenario seems feasible, considering that Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus has made it clear that he does not count on the Brazilian due to his physical problems and his inability to train at the same pace as the rest of the squad.

Santos, meanwhile, are betting big on Neymar's return, despite a difficult financial situation. According to UOL, the deal includes not only the player's salary, but also a partnership in commercial actions that could become a financial lifeline for the club. The possibility has even been raised of transforming Santos into a limited company managed by Neymar's father, which adds a strategic component to this operation.

The last year and a half has been particularly difficult for Neymar. In October 2023, during a World Cup qualifier with the Brazilian national team against Uruguay, he suffered a serious injury to his left knee: ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus. This setback kept him sidelined until October 2024, when he made his long-awaited return in an Asian Champions League match. However, his return was short-lived, as a muscle injury forced him to stop playing again.

These physical problems, coupled with inconsistent performances in recent years, have led to speculation about his future. Although Neymar has been linked with MLS teams such as Inter Miami, where his former teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez play, a return to Brazil seems to be the most concrete option at the moment. For the player, returning to Santos could mean not only an opportunity to regain his competitive level, but also a way to reconnect with his roots and an environment where he has always been loved.

For Santos, bringing Neymar back represents much more than a signing. It is a strategic move that could revitalise the club both sportingly and financially. Neymar's presence in the team would not only boost ticket and merchandise sales, but could also attract sponsors and open up new commercial opportunities. In addition, the media impact of the return of a figure like Neymar to Brazilian football would be enormous, making Santos the centre of attention in South American football.

In a recent interview with ex-footballer Romario, Neymar hinted that a return to Brazil was a possibility, although he assured that it was not in his immediate plans. ‘I want to return one day, but right now I'm not considering it,’ he said. However, his statements also included a phrase that fuels Santos' hopes: “In six months anything can happen”.

Despite his words, Neymar also admitted that he is not a big fan of the Brazilian Championship, claiming that it causes him stress to watch the games on television. These statements have been interpreted by some as a sign of disconnection with local football, but for others, they are simply a sign of sincerity from a player who has faced numerous challenges in his recent career.

With the transfer window in full swing, the outcome of this story looks set to be decided in the coming weeks. If Neymar is able to move on from Al-Hilal and make his return to Santos a reality, it would mark a turning point for both the club and his own career. At a time when he needs to regain confidence and continuity, Santos could be the ideal place for Neymar to write a new chapter in his career.

The ball is in Al-Hilal's court, but the illusion has already begun to beat in the hearts of Santos fans. Will this be the long-awaited return that Neymar and Santos need?