Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. is set to rejoin his first professional club, Santos, according to reports from ESPN on Sunday.
Sources revealed that Neymar’s current deal with Al Hilal is expected to be terminated, with the final terms of the separation still under discussion.
A post by renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano on Sunday confirmed that a verbal agreement has been reached. “Formal steps will be taken next week to finalize the deal with Al Hilal, and contracts are being reviewed. Neymar has already given the green light for the move,” the post stated.
Once the deal is sealed, Neymar could travel to Brazil within the week and may debut for Santos as early as February 5, coinciding with his 33rd birthday.
Neymar joined Al Hilal in the summer of 2023 for $97.6 million after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. However, the 32-year-old struggled for form, making only seven appearances and scoring a single goal during an AFC Champions League match in October 2023.
Neymar’s journey in professional football began at Santos in 2009. He played a crucial role in their Copa Libertadores victory in 2011, famously scoring in the final's second leg.
Internationally, Neymar has represented Brazil 128 times, becoming their all-time leading scorer with 79 goals. He also led Brazil to a historic Olympic gold medal on home soil during the 2016 Summer Games.
If the deal is finalized, Neymar’s return to Santos will mark a homecoming for the global football icon.
