
Neymar makes decision on his future as Brazilian superstar targets fourth World Cup next summer
The winger, 33, rejoined his boyhood club Santos in January on a six-month contract after leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
He scored three goals in 14 appearances during the second half of the 2024-25 campaign - having previously netted 136 goals in 225 games in his first spell at the club from 2009 to 2013.
Now, he has opted to renew his contract with Santos, potentially paving a pathway for him to feature for the Selecao at next year's World Cup.
In a statement posted on the club's website, he said: 'I made a decision and I listened to my heart.
'Santos is not just my team, it is my home, my roots, my history and my life.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Santos Futebol Clube (@santosfc)
'Here I was a boy who became a man, and I am truly loved. Here I can be myself, truly happy. And it is here that I want to fulfil the dreams that are missing in my career.
'And nothing will stop me. I go, I come back and I stay. Where it all began and where it will never end.'
He will be hoping for a sustained spell in Santos' team having struggled with injuries during his 18-month spell in Saudi Arabia.
He has not played for Brazil since suffering an an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury back in October 2023, but remains his country's record goalscorer with 79 goals.
Off the field, Neymar was recently seen with Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal in Rio de Janeiro.
In a post on Instagram, Yamal quashed rumours over his relationship status after he was seen with a Colombian model and adult film star twelve years his senior.
The Blaugrana wonderkid gave another update on the matter on Sunday.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Marcus Rashford's incredible miss in first home run-out for Barcelona
Marcus Rashford has emerged as a contender for miss of the season following his home debut for Barcelona. The 27-year-old England international has arrived on a season-long loan from Manchester United, looking to revive his stalled career alongside teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in what promises to be one of Europe's most explosive front lines. Rashford, one of Europe's top talents before falling out of favour at United and spending the latter part of last season on loan at Aston Villa, has joined a stellar attacking cast, which proved their prowess on Sunday night with a 5-0 hammering of Italian side Como in the Joan Gamper Trophy at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, with two goals apiece from Lamine Yamal and Fermín López and one from former Leeds United forward Raphinha. Rashford, who earned ecstatic applause when he was introduced before kick-off, should have joined them on the scoresheet but was guilty of a shocking miss with Barcelona 4-0 up. He did the difficult part by rounding Como goalkeeper Jean Butez brilliantly, but with the goal at his mercy, he fired wide. 😬 Marcus Rashford haciendo un "para qué te traje", como diría "Bambino" Pons. Falla del inglés… — Luis Omar Tapia (@LuisOmarTapia) August 10, 2025 Barcelona are preparing for the new campaign under Hansi Flick, whose tactical revolution powered the Catalans to a remarkable domestic double built around 18-year-old Yamal, who took European football by storm after helping Spain win a record fourth European Championship. Flick's arrival in July 2024 following Xavi Hernández's bitter departure instigated a renaissance after years of management and financial struggles had damaged Barca's global image, including five straight seasons without a Champions League semi-final. The German, sacked as his national team's coach in September 2023, orchestrated a stunning turnaround that propelled Barcelona to their 28th Spanish league title and the Copa del Rey, nearly reaching the Champions League final before losing in heartbreaking fashion in the last four to Inter Milan in extra time. Their attacking display included 43 goals in 14 Champions League matches and an astonishing 102 in 38 La Liga games – 24 more than Real Madrid, who they beat in all four of their encounters last season, scoring 16 goals. Flick's entertainment-first approach helped Barca beat old rivals Real Madrid over four matches in a row across all competitions, reintroducing attacking verve to a club that treats total football as a religion. As Barcelona prepare to start the season at Mallorca on August 16, the German's main challenge will be fixing defensive frailties without compromising their scoring prowess. They will be battling with a Real Madrid side under new manager Xabi Alonso, with Carlo Ancelotti having headed to Brazil and striker Kylian Mbappé looking to bounce back from a disappointing debut season at the Bernabéu. Barca face a familiar hurdle in registering Rashford, however. The Spanish champions cannot register the forward because of La Liga's financial rules, having spent more on signings and wages than they have made in revenue for several seasons. President Joan Laporta has repeatedly said he is confident of registering Rashford and goalkeeper Joan García for the new season, with a deadline of end-August to resolve the issue. Despite Barcelona's long-standing financial crisis exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, the Catalan club have always eventually been able to register their new signings. They resorted to the courts and Spain's National Sports Council last season successfully to appeal over registering Dani Olmo and Pau Victor – a decision La Liga said violated its Financial Fair Play rules. Their troubles have ignited a feud with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who was stripped of the captaincy after declining to sign a long-term injury leave of absence that would have allowed Barca to clear 80 per cent of his wages until mid-season and comply with La Liga financial rules.


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Darwin Nunez scores on debut for Al-Hilal just 24 hours after completing £53m move from Liverpool
Darwin Nunez has already got off the mark for Al-Hilal - just 24 hours after his move to the Saudi Pro League side was officially confirmed. Mail Sport reported this week that the Premier League champions agreed a £53million deal to sell the Uruguay international, who made it clear to Liverpool officials earlier in the summer that he saw his future away from Anfield. The Reds released an official statement confirming Nunez's exit on Saturday and he has taken no time at all to settle into his new surroundings. The Uruguayan was named on the bench for his new side's friendly against FC Aarau on Sunday. Nunez was brought on at half-time with his side already holding a comfortable 3-0 lead. And it didn't take long for the striker to make an impact as he completed the 6-0 rout in the 87th minute. Darwin Nuñez scores on his debut for Al-Hilal — really wish he could get his career back on track. Love the guy! 🔥 — LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) August 10, 2025 The 26-year-old ran on to a through ball down the right channel and fired past the keeper at his near post. The striker made only eight starts in the Premier League in 2024-25 and just one this calendar year, as he fell towards the bottom of Arne Slot 's pecking order in attack. Nunez had asked to leave Liverpool as far back as January, when he was again the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia, but they took the decision to keep him for the remainder of the campaign so he could play a part in the successful title pursuit. Liverpool had received an offer from Napoli in June for Nunez but it was immediately rebuffed, as the Italian champions proposed a fee of just over £45million that would be paid in instalments – which would not begin until the summer of 2026. The Reds' statement read: 'Liverpool FC can confirm Darwin Nunez has completed a permanent transfer to Al-Hilal, subject to international clearance. 'The Uruguayan's three-year spell with the Reds concludes after he finalised a switch to the Saudi Pro League side today. 'Nunez departs Anfield having made 143 appearances and scored 40 goals, collecting Premier League and Carabao Cup winner's medals along the way. 'The striker arrived at the club from Benfica in the summer of 2022 and scored on his competitive debut to help Jürgen Klopp's team lift the FA Community Shield with victory against Manchester City. 'His first season as a Liverpool player saw him get on the scoresheet 15 times from 42 outings in all competitions and named the club's Standard Chartered Player of the Month on two occasions. 'Nunez improved his haul of goals in the following campaign by producing 18 – two of those off the bench at Newcastle United to complete a remarkable late turnaround in the early weeks. 'The 2024-25 term turned out to be his final one with the Reds, and he would complete his career on Merseyside by hoisting the Premier League trophy aloft. 'Nunez's pair of stoppage-time finishes to snatch victory away at Brentford in January was an undoubted vital moment and highlight of the historic season. 'Everybody at the club would like to thank Darwin for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best for the future.' Liverpool splashed out £85m on Nunez to snap him up from Benfica in 2022 but he ultimately struggled to live up to the price tag.


The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Chelsea vs AC Milan LIVE RESULT: New boys Delap and Joao Pedro get on scoresheet as Blues end pre-season on high
Perfect Pedro Speaking of Joao Pedro, he has been in sensational form since making the switch from Brighton to Chelsea. Chelsea hijacked Newcastle's move for Joao Pedro and wrapped up a £55million deal for the Brighton forward. SunSport understands that the Brazil ace, 23, only wanted to play for Chelsea and Brighton have a good relationship with the Londoners. And he inspired the Blues to a Club World Cup win by scoring three times in the competition. How he would love to get another goal this afternoon in Chelsea's final pre-season match.