Al-Hilal forward and former FC Barcelona star Neymar has given the green light to his potential next … [+] club according to UOL in Brazil, which cited anonymous sources.
Al-Hilal forward and former FC Barcelona star Neymar has given the green light to his potential next club according to respected Brazilian news outlet UOL, which cited anonymous sources.
This week saw UOL and a Saudi counterpart in Action Ma3 Waleed report that Al-Hilal is considering rescinding the two-year contract Neymar signed in mid-2023, when he joined the Pro League giants from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee reported as $97 million (€90 million) by BBC Sport.
Not long after the high-profile switch to the Middle East, however, Neymar suffered a serious ACL injury while on international duty for Brazil against Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier, and only returned to action late last month for a short cameo in the second half of Al-Hilal’s AFC Champions League clash with Al-Ain.
A few days ago, Neymar managed just half an hour of a match versus Iran’s Esteghlal before being brought off with what appeared to be a muscle niggle.
The player himself has played down the seriousness of the potential setback and insisted it is nothing to worry about.
In the meantime, however, it is looking increasingly like Neymar will continue his career back in Brazil in 2025, where UOL says the 32-year-old has given the green light to boyhood club Santos as per a potential free transfer.
UOL explains that the Peixe who famously produced Pele, Neymar and Rodrygo imagined signing Neymar in July 2025, but the coup could be pulled off as early as January.
Neymar is reportedly in talks with Al-Hilal aimed at striking an amicable termination agreement, and he wants to play for Santos once more.
Brazil’s all-time top scorer would of course have to give a lot of money up to head back home, but he would go “where he is wanted” and also have a good chance of picking up form ahead of the 2026 World Cup which could be his last given his age.
According to UOL, Santos is thinking about offering him a unique arrangement where Neymar would be paid a base salary but also stand to earn from percentages in commercial enterprises, shirt sales and what Santos will earn from new sponsors.
Playing in Brazil would also be more favourably looked upon by Selecao national team manager Dorival Junior, and Santos will do everything it can to boast Neymar again in the next couple of months.