Last Updated:
Neymar registered a staggering 136 goals and 64 assists in 225 matches for the Brazilian club and led them to their first Copa Libertadores title in nearly 50 years, back in 2011.
Neymar Jr (AP Photo)
After 12 long years of exile from the motherland coupled with international exploits galore, Brazilian winger Neymar Jr. announced that he will rejoin his boyhood club Santos FC in hopes of rediscovering himself.
Santos, who were relegated to Brazil’s second division in 2023 and was promoted again in the latest season, took to social media to announce that ‘The Prince is Back’.
Although the official announcement was made on Friday, the 32-year-old had confirmed the decision in the video posted by Santos across all platforms.
“I’ll sign the contract with Santos Futebol Club. I want to thank my fans from all over the world, wishing for this moment to come true for a long time.
“It’s been nearly 12 years since I left the most famous Vila in the world – and it seems like it was yesterday. My feelings for the club and fans have never changed. Now, I need to play (football) again and only a club like Santos can provide the love I need to prepare for the coming challenges of the next years,” said Neymar in the video.
Neymar registered a staggering 136 goals and 64 assists in 225 matches for the Brazilian club and led them to their first Copa Libertadores title in nearly 50 years, back in 2011.
Videos of the young Brazilian gliding through defences saw him gain prominence in the footballing world, and before he knew it, he signed for FC Barcelona in 2013 for a fee said to be near 55 million euros.
He moved to PSG from Barca for a world record fee of 222 million euros in August 2017.
Neymar has played only seven games for Al-Hilal since moving from Paris St Germain for a reported fee of around 90 million euros ($98 million) in August 2023.
The 32-year-old sustained a knee injury in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to get back to his best.
The club announced their decision to mutually part ways with Neymar on Friday, with the Brazilian taking to social media later to post a note for Al Hilal fans, thanking them for their support.
