AAP Soccer

Brazil star Neymar returns to Santos after Saudi exit

By AAP Newswire

Jan 29, 2025

Neymar has agreed to return to Santos nearly 12 years after he left the Brazilian team, club president Marcelo Teixeira has said.

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The 32-year-old had parted ways by mutual consent with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal earlier on Tuesday after a disappointing spell at the club for Brazil's all-time leading goal-scorer.

Having sustained a knee injury playing for in Brazil in October 2023 he played seven matches and scored once.

Neymar had joined from Paris St Germain for a reported fee of about 90 million euros ($A150m) in August 2023.

"It is the time, Neymar. It is time for you to come back to your people. To our home, to the club in our hearts," Teixeira said in his social media channels.

"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 won six titles with boyhood club Santos, including a Copa Libertadores trophy in 2011, before moving to Barcelona in 2013.

In August 2017 he moved to PSG for a world record fee of 222 million euros ($A370m).

with AP

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press