Neymar will return to his boyhood club Santos, the team’s president announced on Tuesday, a day after he ended his disappointing 17-month stay with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
The 32-year-old Neymar won six titles with his boyhood club Santos, including a Copa Libertadores trophy in 2011. He will return to the club after a frustrating spell at Al Hilal, where he played only seven matches and scored once.
“It is the time [to come back], Neymar. It is time for you to come back to your people. To our home, to the club in our hearts,” Santos president Marcelo Teixeira said in a social media post.
“Welcome, our boy Ney! A boy of Vila [Belmiro, Santos’ stadium]. Come back to be happy again with the white and black shirt. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms.”
Neymar spent much of his time in Saudi Arabia on the sidelines due to an ACL injury he picked playing for Brazil in October 2023.
ESPN reported on Sunday that Neymar was nearing a return to his native Brazil. He had been linked with a transfer to the Chicago Fire, but sources told ESPN his preference was always to rejoin Santos over a move to Major League Soccer.