MLS clubs interested
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Neymar was unquestionably one of the most talented players of his generation but the Brazilian’s career trajectory has been on a downward spiral for quite some time. The 32-year-old waved goodbye to european football in the summer of 2023 with the financial allure of Saudi Arabia proving impossible to resist. But Neymar’s time in the Middle East has been disastrous. He’s only played seven times for Al-Hilal due to injury. And this week saw the Brazilian international draw a line under what has been a baffling and somewhat pointless chapter in his career, when the Saudi club confirmed that they had reached an agreement with the player to mutually cancel his contract.
The former Barcelona star spent one year on the sidelines after rupturing his ACL just five games into his Al-Hilal career and he sustained more injury problems on his return. Al-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus admitted recently that the former Barcelona star could no longer operate at the highest level, stating: “Ney will not be registered, but he can participate in the Asian Champions League,” Jesus said. “He’s world class. But the truth is, physically, Neymar can no longer perform at the level we are used to.” Neymar’s career is in serious danger of fizzling out, so what could be next for the prodigiously talented attacker?
Neymar returns to Santos
Reports in his native Brazil at the end of 2024 suggested that Neymar was eager to return to his homeland permanently to re-join his boyhood club Santos. Neymar confirmed on social media that he would return to his boyhood club, with Al-Hilal all too happy to cut his time at the club short. Without any transfer fee to pay or extortionate wages to cover in a loan deal, Neymar was free to go wherever he pleased and as reports suggested at the time, Neymar wasted no time to return to Santos.
Santos’ main sponsor ‘Blaze’ have an association with Neymar and senior club figures were understood to view his return as inevitable and it’s been suggested that the Brazilian could even buy the club. Santos boss Pedro Caixinha reportedly wanted to reunite with his former Rangers player Josh Windass but now it looks like Neymar is heading home. Marcos Watts, Transfermarkt’s Brazilian football expert believes a return to his beloved club could be the perfect move. “I can see it happening and honestly I think it makes a lot of sense,” Watts said. “It feels like Neymar’s career is coming to an end – mainly due to injuries – but it feels right for him to come back to Brazil, where he’s most appreciated at this moment in time. The financial side of his contract should be interesting though, since Santos is going through some tough times, especially since being relegated to the Série B. There were reports earlier this year that Neymar Sr and Neymar Jr could potentially buy the club.”
Could Neymar return to a top-five league?
Given his unquestionable talent and stature, Neymar could still appeal to major european clubs, even though a return to a top-five league is unlikely. Barcelona have been linked with bringing him back to Spain and there was genuine interest from the Catalan club before Neymar went to Saudi Arabia. Despite being available on a free next summer – or before if his contract is terminated – Neymar would expect a significant salary. Brazilian expert Watts doesn’t envisage a european return for Neymar and he believes the attacker may regret never testing himself in the Premier League.
“Honestly, I don’t see Neymar joining a club in the top-five leagues anymore,” Watts said. “I can’t see a big european side giving him the space and treatment he would look for as a star player considering he’s 32 and has been suffering with injuries. I can’t see him joining a ‘smaller’ club either. A move to a different sort of project like Saudi Arabia, the MLS or a Santos rebuild sounds more realistic considering what we imagine about his expectations and what possibilities could be within his reach.
“Looking back, I think Neymar might regret never joining the Premier League. He missed the chance of proving himself as the world‘s best at a stronger side and league than PSG and Ligue 1. Achieving that would have provided him more opportunities and led to him being appreciated more. Thriving for a top English side – even without winning the Champions League – would’ve set him a much better path than playing in Paris and then dreaming of a return to Barcelona which never happened.”
