The president of Santos, Marcelo Teixeira, announced on Tuesday (28) the hiring of Neymar. Historical idol of the beach club, the striker is back after 11 and a half years, with a commitment that should have initial duration by June 30.
The disclosure of the hit was made through a video published in the director’s profile on Instagram. “It looks like it was yesterday, time goes by very fast,” Teixeira wrote, recalling the beginning of the athlete’s career. “The time has come to build our new story. Return to your home, we are open arms!”
Author of 136 goals in 225 games with the black and white shirt, the player finds himself in a situation similar to the one experienced when he first dressed as a professional in 2009. There is, of course, clear differences. But again, despite the undeniable talent, he has something to prove and questions to answer about his own body.
16 years ago, the Paulista de Mogi das Cruzes was called “Butterfly Filet” by his second coach in Santos’ main team, Vanderlei Luxembourg, who saw the need for that 17 -year -old boy to earn body to bloom. He answered being the big name of one of the most victorious periods of the club, with three titles of the Paulista Championship, one of the Brazilian Cup, one of the Copa Libertadores and one from Recopa South American.
Neymar, 32, is no longer a slight boy, but his body has given multiple signs of fragility. The lesions accumulate, and the athlete comes from the most severe he has ever suffered, a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the left knee meniscus. Out of action for a year, from October 2023 to October 2024, faced in return muscle problems and was on the field in a total of 42 minutes.
The Brazilian worked very little since the fall of Brazil in the last World Cup in December 2022. Out of the Paris Saint-Germain plans, he set out in the middle of 2023 to the rich Saudi Arabia football, banked by the local monarchy, but only managed to play seven matches in a year and a half, with a goal and two assists.
Discarded by coach Jorge Jesus, he was sought by Santos and decided to prove his value in black and white once again. First, you simply want to show you can play soccer. Moreover, he wants to show that he can present himself at a high level to be a key piece of Brazil at the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The appeal to return home with the World Cup as a goal was the main argument used by Marcelo Teixeira in the negotiation. A video produced with artificial intelligence, sounded in a voice similar to Pelé’s, presented the reasons why the return would make sense at this time.
Neymar agreed, but the release of the commitment signed with Al Hilal was missing until the mid -year. The athlete still had $ 65 million ($ 383 million) to receive and agreed to give up part of the amount.
Newly promoted from the second division of the Brazilian Championship, Santos negotiated additives in the contracts of their sponsors. They agreed to pay more to enable the hiring of the star and make use of the exhibition that the media player will provide his brands.
