Neymar was unveiled in an emotional but romantic return to Santos FC after 12 years. Santos has signed Neymar Jr on a month-long contract valid until June.
The Brazilian football star Neymar made a highly anticipated return to his boyhood club, Santos, receiving a heartwarming reception from over 20,000 fans at Vila Belmiro Stadium.
The atmosphere was electrified as fireworks lit up the night sky, and the crowd celebrated the Brazilian’s comeback under an electronic banner that read, “The prince is back.”
Neymar broke into tears in front of the fans as they were chanting his name. He recreated that famous celebration at the stadium in that emotional moment.
The 32-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward returns to Santos after playing just seven times for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal despite a reported salary of around $104 million a year.
Neymar who ranks as Brazil’s all-time top scorer, joined Al Hilal in August 2023, following fellow superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to the Gulf.
Two months after he arrived in Riyadh, he ruptured a cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing for Brazil in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, which kept him on the sidelines for a year.
He then suffered a series of hamstring and knee injuries as he tried to return to action which failed to work out right.
Neymar admitted his return was due to his feeling unhappy at Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal earlier this year as he struggled to get playing time.
“I started getting sad in training sessions (at Al-Hilal), and it wasn’t good for my head. So there was the chance to come back and I did not think twice. Since the first day, I decided I wanted to come back, I told my father (and agent) and it all worked.” expressed Neymar
Neymar made it clear that he would honour Pelé’s legacy by wearing the iconic No. 10 jersey for Santos as part of his tribute to the club’s footballing royalty.
“It will be an honor to wear this sacred jersey,” he said
