NIGERIA: Neymar Set For Sensational Return To Boyhood Club Santos

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria  

Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. is on the verge of a historic return to his boyhood club, Santos, nearly a decade after leaving South America for Europe.

According to reports from ESPN on Sunday, the Al Hilal star has reached a verbal agreement to rejoin the club where his illustrious career began, with formalities expected to be finalised in the coming days.

Fabrizio Romano, a trusted source in global football transfers, confirmed the development on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that negotiations between Neymar and Al Hilal are in advanced stages, with the Saudi Pro League side preparing to terminate his contract.

“Formal steps to follow next week for the final formula of the deal from Al Hilal and contracts to be checked.

Neymar already said yes to the move,” Romano wrote.

Neymar, 32, is expected to travel to Brazil later this week and could make his much-anticipated return debut for Santos on February 5, coinciding with his 33rd birthday.

The Brazilian forward joined Al Hilal in the summer of 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain for a whopping $97.6 million transfer fee.

However, his time in Saudi Arabia has been underwhelming, with Neymar featuring in just seven matches across league and cup competitions and scoring a solitary goal in an AFC Champions League group-stage match against Nassaji Mazandaran on October 3, 2023.

Returning to Santos would mark an emotional homecoming for Neymar, who began his professional career with the Brazilian club in 2009.

His spell at Santos is fondly remembered for his dazzling performances, which culminated in a Copa Libertadores triumph in 2011, where he scored a crucial goal in the second leg of the final against Peñarol.

At the international level, Neymar remains a towering figure for Brazil, having made 128 appearances and scoring a record-breaking 79 goals for the Seleção.

His achievements include leading Brazil to a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics on home soil.

The potential return to Santos offers Neymar an opportunity to rejuvenate his career in familiar surroundings while providing a major boost to his former club.

Fans in Brazil are eagerly awaiting his arrival, as Neymar’s return promises to reignite memories of his electrifying performances and inspire a new generation of football enthusiasts.