Neymar, who was initially without a club, had recently been linked with a return to Europe. However, the Brazilian has now decided to sign another contract with “his” FC Santos.
Neymar’s star rose at FC Santos. The dribbling artist trained there from 2003 and was promoted to the first team in 2009 – as a jewel with the potential to become a star.
That’s exactly how it turned out: after a few more years at FC Santos, Neymar finally moved to FC Barcelona in 2013, where he celebrated the 2015 Champions League, two La Liga championships, and three cup victories alongside Lionel Messi, among others.
In 2017, Neymar moved on to Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of €222 million, which was a record at the time. Five Ligue 1 titles, three cup wins and the Champions League title he had always aimed for but never achieved later – once again alongside Messi – Neymar decided to leave Europe. However, the Brazilian international failed to make an impact at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, partly due to injuries (including a cruciate ligament rupture), so that in 2025 the circle was complete and the attacking artist returned to FC Santos.
Contract until the end of December – and then?
Now 33, his contract there recently expired after just twelve games, three goals, a thigh injury and a yellow-red card suspension for a handball, sparking rumors of a return to Europe. This is also because Neymar would certainly like to gain playing experience at a high level in order to play for his home country Brazil under new coach Carlo Ancelotti – who was not nominated for the last time – as a key player at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico (June 11 to July 19, 2026).
Neymar’s home club officially announced that he would be staying near Sao Paulo (Mogi das Cruzes) via X. The club wrote: “Where it all began. Where it will never end!” His new contract there initially runs until December 31, after which, according to the player, there is an option to extend. Or will Neymar aim for another move to Europe at the turn of the year – just a few months before the World Cup? Everything is still open. For now, according to Neymar, only one thing is certain: “I have made a decision and listened to my heart. Santos is not just my team, it is my home, my roots, my history and my life.”
FC Santos is currently in 15th place in the Campeonato Brasileiro A, just above the relegation zone. The league leaders are Club World Cup participants Flamengo, who will now face Bayern Munich in the round of 16 in the US after the German side’s 0-1 defeat to Benfica Lisbon in their final group stage match.
