Brazil star forward Neymar isn’t planning on staying in Saudi Arabia for too long. According to Brazilian media outlet UOL, Neymar wants to return to his boyhood club Santos in 2025.
Neymar joined the Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli on a two-year contract with a yearly salary of around $220 million in the summer of 2023. He only managed to play five games with his new club, scoring one goal and adding three assists, before suffering an ACL injury.
While rehabbing from his injury in Brazil, Neymar attended Santos’ game against Palmeiras on Sunday and talked with the players in the locker room. During the chat, Neymar reportedly told Santos’ players and officials that he plans to return to the club next year after his contract with Al-Ahli expires.
Neymar joined Santos in 2003 at the age of 11. He signed his first professional contract with the club as a 17-year-old, making his debut in 2009. Neymar ended up playing five years with Santos, making 140 appearances and scoring 72 goals. He helped the club win Campeonato Paulista three times and the Copa Libertadores trophy in 2011.
Neymar left Santos in the summer of 2013 to join La Liga giants Barcelona in a transfer worth €57.1 million. He spent four years with Barca before joining Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain.
