Santos confirm Neymar's return 12 years after forward left Brazilian club
Neymar has completed his return to Santos, 12 years after leaving the Brazilian club to join Barcelona.
The forward graduated through the youth system at Santos, where he scored 136 goals in 225 games and won six trophies including the 2011 Copa Libertadores, before a high-profile move to Barcelona in 2013.
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The Athletic reported on January 29 that the 32-year-old had agreed a six-month contract at Santos after mutually terminating his contract with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Neymar endured 18 months in Saudi Arabia, scoring one goal in just seven appearances after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee while playing for Brazil in October 2023.
Eu vou, mas eu volto. #ThePrinceIsBack pic.twitter.com/2uTxDgYk1M
— Santos FC (@SantosFC) January 31, 2025
Neymar scored 105 goals across four seasons at Barca, winning two La Liga titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup before his world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain as a 25-year-old.
He won 13 trophies across six years at PSG, including five Ligue 1 titles and helping the club reach their first-ever Champions League final in 2020 before his move to Saudi.
At international level, Neymar is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances.
Santos were relegated from the top flight for the first time in their history in 2023 but won promotion back at the first time of asking in 2024.
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Santos return, Miami with Messi or staying at Al Hilal: What now for Neymar after Saudi frustration?
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