Neymar opens up about his decision to re-join Santos

The Brazilian has been officially unveiled as a Santos player.

Neymar discussed the choice that led him to rejoin his hometown team, Santos, after leaving the Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

The 32-year-old was unveiled in front of 20,000 spectators at the Vila Belmiro Stadium on Friday night, capping up his triumphant return to his boyhood club.

Neymar’s disappointing 18-month stint at Al Hilal, during which he only made seven appearances and scored one goal due to injury, came to an end with the move.

The attacker injured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in October 2023 while playing for Brazil on international duty, just a few months after joining Al Hilal in the summer of 2023.

The nightmare continued as Neymar suffered a hamstring injury against Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League in November 2024, two games after making his comeback from a more than year-long absence. He ended up playing his final game for the team.

Neymar acknowledged that he and his family were content in Saudi Arabia, but he expressed a desire to rediscover his love for the game with Santos.

”When did I realize it was necessary to come back to Brazil? I must admit that at the beginning of January, I couldn’t imagine returning to Santos; I had no plans to leave Al-Hilal. My family was happy, and I was eager to play.”

”However, sometimes decisions arise that transcend the logic of football. Certain circumstances occurred, and I had to make that decision. I started to feel nostalgic during training, in my everyday life, and it had a negative impact on my mental state.”

”When the opportunity to return presented itself, I didn’t think twice. I told my father that I wanted to go back to Santos, and everything went smoothly. Everyone is happy—me, my family, and my friends even more so. I returned with renewed energy.”

With his official presentation finally over the Brazilian will be looking forward to making his debut for his childhood club once again.

On Wednesday, February 5, which is also Neymar’s 33rd birthday, he may make his much-anticipated debut with Santos. In Campeonato Paulista, the team will take on Botafogo-SP at Vila Belmiro Stadium.

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