Neymar reveals he was close to joining a FIFA Club World Cup 2025 team

The forward was courted by one of the Brazilian teams.

Neymar disclosed that he was “very close” to leaving Santos to play for Fluminense in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

After a terrible stint with Al-Hilal, who are also participating in the tournament in the United States, the 33-year-old Brazil legend returned to his boyhood club in January 2025.

After spending time with European giants FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar returned to Brazil after suffering injuries during his stay in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking on the Flow Podcast, Neymar explained that after suffering a hamstring injury in April and May, he decided to stick with Santos despite discussions about making another move.

Turned down another Brazilian club to remain at Santos

Neymar said:

“I’m in good physical shape. We had these conversations with some teams to play in the [Club] World Cup, Fluminense was something that came very close to happening.”

“But I preferred to stay to train a little more. I’m 100 per cent physically, but I need to get better to be able to come back in good shape.”

In 2023, the Brazilian superstar left PSG to join the Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal. The Middle Eastern team paid a staggering £129 million a year in wages and a £77 million transfer fee for the former Barcelona star.

Neymar left PSG during a reorganisation that included Luis Enrique’s arrival. Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, and Marco Verratti also left that summer. Neymar’s inability to stay fit made it clear that it was time to sever relations, following fans’ previous urging for him to do so.

Neymar had scored 118 goals in 173 games for PSG and won five Ligue 1 championships after leaving Barcelona for a fee of £200 million.

But his decision to join Al Hilal was undoubtedly a failure. The Brazil legend suffered a hamstring injury after only five games, after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, which kept him out of action for over a year.

Before the agreement was mutually ended and a return to Santos was finalised, the star player was not registered by the Saudi club to play under Jorge Jesus.

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