Osvaldo Nico, a prominent figure on the club's Board of Directors, has confirmed preliminary conversations with Neymar, suggesting a potential return to his original team in the near future.
According to Nico, the discussions are progressing, with the statement, "Neymar arrives at Santos in June. That’s the conversation we are having. Everyone played with Neymar at Santos - even [Zé]Love and André [Felipe] scored goals when he was there. He’s coming to Santos," highlighting the optimism surrounding this development.
Neymar's journey to Al Hilal in August 2023 for a reported fee close to $87 million was a significant move. With his contract set to expire in June 2025, speculation is rife about his next destination.
Neymar's Comeback After a Long Absence
Neymar's tenure in Saudi Arabia has been fraught with challenges, including muscle issues that caused him to miss the initial games of the season, followed by a devastating ACL tear in his left knee, sidelining him for a year. Recently, he made a comeback, featuring in the final 13 minutes of a 5-4 victory over Al Ain in matchday 3 of the AFC Champions League Elite group stage.
Rumors of a return to Santos have been circulating for months, with even the club's president, Teixeira, acknowledging contact in February. He stated, "The conversation was quick, but it is often the swiftest ones that have the best outcomes. No, no, it is too early [to sign a pre-contract]. He still has to recover from his knee injury. To play here, he has to make a full recovery. He will continue gaining experience there and then he will come back."
Communications with Santos
Neymar himself has played down such rumors, yet has not ruled out a return, saying, "There is no possibility of me returning to Santos next year. What has been said is completely false; there is nothing planned. I have one more year of contract with Al-Hilal. I hope to have a great season. I missed the last one. We are taking it one step at a time. There is still a lot of time ahead. Obviously, Santos is my favorite team, and one day I want to return, yes, but I have nothing planned in mind right now."
A top official at the Brazilian club has now confirmed that discussions and negotiations are actively being pursued. Santos is currently leading the second division of Brazilian football (Série B) with four games remaining, and the top four teams will be promoted to the Brasileirão.
Securing a spot in Série A would facilitate the signing of Neymar, as his salary—reportedly around $111 million at Al Hilal—poses a significant financial challenge for Santos. Nevertheless, his return would be a monumental event for the league.
Neymar's impact before his move to Barça in 2013 was transformative, propelling him to global fame. His return would invigorate the club's new project following its historic relegation.
