Santos

Neymar won't be heading to Major League Soccer after all.

The Brazilian star is reportedly signing with Santos and will be leaving Al Hilal, effective immediately, according to football reporter Fabrizio Romano:

🚨💣 Neymar Jr back to Santos, story confirmed and HERE WE GO! ⚪️⚫️🇧🇷

Al Hilal have terminated Ney’s contract with immediate effect as the Brazilian will now travel for medical and sign in as new Santos player.

Back to Santos, back to Vila Belmiro.

Ney volta pra casa. 🔙🏡 pic.twitter.com/gmPu9uVdNa

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 27, 2025

Paul Tenorio and Mario Cortegana of The Athletic reported earlier in January that the Chicago Fire had "held discussions" to bring Neymar to the United States, but added that "MLS is not currently a priority for Neymar and his family, despite the exploratory dialogue between his camp and representatives of the Fire."

Neymar, 32, made just seven appearances for Al Hilal across 18 months, in large part due to a torn ACL and meniscus he suffered in Oct. 2023 while playing for the Brazilian national team.

Two weeks ago, Al Hilal manager Jorge Jesus told reporters the star winger "can no longer play at the level we are used to," and Neymar wasn't even registered to play for the team in the first half of the season. That, combined with his pending free agency after the season, made him a candidate to be transferred during the January window, and Al Hilal ultimately terminated his contract.

Per ESPN's Jeff Carlisle, Neymar is expected to sign a six-month contract with Santos, retaining his free agency ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

He was potentially leaving around $65 million on the table by terminating his contract with Al Hilal, according to Carlisle, though "sources told ESPN he could make up at least some of the shortfall by having himself and his father, Neymar Santos Sr., become part of an investment fund that includes shares in Santos. However, ESPN Brazil is reporting that Neymar is still determined to recoup the money from Al Hilal and that any deal involving shares in Santos would be extremely difficult to execute in the short term."

Carlisle also noted that Neymar and Al Hilal ultimately came to an agreement on a contract termination, though it's unknown how much money he recouped.

As for Santos, Neymar will return to the club where he began his professional career in 2009 and spent four years before his famous stints at Barcelona and PSG. Santos won promotion back to Brazil's Serie A in November after winning the Serie B title and will begin its Campeonato Paulista campaign on Jan. 29 against São Bernardo.

Santos is one of the most prestigious clubs in Brazil and has launched the careers of a number of other stars, including Pelé, Robinho and Rodrygo.

Santos forward Rodrygo, who will join Real Madrid next summer, has defended the Brazilian club's fans after they caused disruption in Tuesday's last-16 Copa Libertadores clash against Independiente, causing the match to be suspended 12 minutes from time.

The Santos fans were protesting against CONMEBOL's decision to change last week's 0-0 first-leg result to a 3-0 Independiente win due to midfielder Carlos Sanchez's ineligibility. Rodrygo, 17, said they were right to react as they did, per Marca: 

"I believe the fans did well. What happened [to us] was a disgrace. The fans were totally right in doing what they did today. The game ended when the result of the trial came out, that shame, the temptation was to talk a lot of s--t here, but there's nothing we can do, so I have to stay still."

In a fan video taken just after the suspension of Tuesday's match the teenager was also captured shouting: "CONMEBOL, sons of b-----s," per Marca.

Oklahoma City Energy FC's Franco Sui Yuan and Goal both provided footage of the incident, which saw fans clashing with police after flares were thrown in the Estadio Pacaembu:

2nd leg of Santos 🇧🇷 vs Independiente 🇦🇷 has been delayed due to incidents by fans from the Brazilian side.

Some important note: This morning Conmebol announced that Santos forfeited their 1st leg match 3-0 after playing an ineligible player (Carlos Sanchez). pic.twitter.com/OiMTpsR53U

— FrancoSY (@francosy) August 29, 2018

https://twitter.com/goal/status/1034701609345994753

Sanchez was deemed to be ineligible to play in the opening leg due to a red card he picked up while playing for River Plate in 2015.

Per Goal's Sacha Pisani, Independiente successfully argued that Sanchez had not served the entirety of his ban before turning out for August 22's clash, and the result was changed in the Argentinian side's favour.  

In the wake of the decision, Santos released a statement expressing their dissatisfaction, per Pisani:

"Faced with this instability in the political scenario experienced by the Brazilian clubs in CONMEBOL, there is a pressing need for a union of all Brazilian sports representatives so that our football will not be grossly harmed.

"We will go to the last instances to defend our right to compete in equality, as well as that, we will not fade away in the incessant search for justice damages already caused."

The upshot of the drama-packed encounter is that Santos were eliminated from the Copa, while Independiente advance to the quarter-finals to face either River or Racing Club.

Brazil star Neymar is to be investigated by a court for fraud in relation to his transfer from Santos to Barcelona. 

According to Reuters, a judge has given the go-ahead for the process following a legal report filed by Brazilian investment fund DIS.

According to the piece, the company owned 40 per cent of the player’s rights prior to his move to La Liga and “alleges it was paid less than half the cash it was entitled to” after the player’s transfer. Sky News note that DIS alleges “corruption and swindling” against the player and a plethora of other key parties.

Neymar, as noted by the BBC, was said to have cost Barcelona a reported €53 million. But DIS is claiming that the sum was much higher—€83.3 million according to the aforementioned piece—and subsequently, it has been defrauded out of a substantial amount.

Incumbent Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who will stand for the presidency again at the club’s upcoming elections, his predecessor Sandro Rosell and Neymar’s father were all cited in the lawsuit, as well as Barcelona and the player himself. Santos and two of their executives have also been named as part of the investigation.

Part of the upcoming process will see the court peruse details of other bids for Neymar while he was at Santos between 2009 and 2013, including those received from Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

A date for a trial has yet to be set. According to the BBC piece, Barcelona are also already challenging the case, as are both Bartomeu and Rosell.

Neymar helped Barcelona to a historic treble last season with a string of memorable displays, winning the La Liga title, Copa del Rey and Champions League. The 23-year-old is currently skippering Brazil at the 2015 Copa America in Chile.

Neymar, a 21-year-old Brazil international forward, is perhaps the most sought-after young talent in world football. But despite the worldwide attention surrounding his future, his next move largely remains in the realm of speculation.

Here's what we know for sure, along with what we think we know.

Neymar's current contract with Santos runs until 2014, according to Bloomberg. At that point he would be allowed to leave the club for free.

On Friday, Santos announced that it had accepted two bids for the player's transfer. Santos also announced on the official club website that Neymar would decide his future in the coming days (links here and here, both in Portuguese).

Beyond those facts, speculation reigns.

As the Daily Mail reports, most observers assume that the teams behind the bids are Barcelona and Real Madrid. This makes sense. Barca and Real are two of the world's richest clubs, and both have been linked with Neymar literally for years, as detailed by Spanish online newspaper El Confidencial (h/t talkSPORT) and ESPN.

No matter which club he joins, Neymar will generate plenty of publicity. His courtship has been a drawn-out process, with several clubs involved. As the AP reports (h/t Sports Illustrated):

The player officially rejected a €35 million offer from Chelsea in 2010, and a year later Santos said five European teams contacted the club to try to sign the youngster, who eventually re-signed with Santos until the 2014 World Cup, with a buyout clause of €65 million ($84 million).

Bayern Munich reportedly also was trying to sign the 21-year-old forward, who is touted as the future of Brazilian football and the main player carrying the country's hopes to win the 2014 World Cup at home.

Mundo Deportivo has reported that Barcelona and Neymar already have a deal in place, as has ESPN. Brazilian paper O Globo published a similar report earlier this week; soon after that, Diario AS quoted a Barcelona source as saying the agreement did not yet exist.

The AS report also hinted at what could be a complicated negotiation process. Neymar's release clause is reportedly set at €65 million, and his rights are reportedly shared by three parties: Santos (55 percent), DIS (40 percent) and Teisa (five percent).

More rumors abound over the transfer fees and wage packets offered by the two mystery clubs.

Real Madrid offered a massive transfer fee for Neymar and also more salary than Barcelona, but Neymar still opted for the Catalan club.

— Santo (@Zizouology) May 25, 2013

…

Sounds like Barcelona have finally agreed on a price for Neymar. I read 30 million euros... More to come....

— Max Bretos (@mbretosESPN) May 24, 2013

"I do not know if in the end (Neymar) will sign with Barca. That only he knows," Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi was quoted as saying this week, according to Marca. "I know this is a player who has very different individual solutions. It is clear that for Barcelona he would be a wonderful hire."

At this point in the process, even that seems to be a matter of speculation. Neymar will eventually join a new club, but for now, we can only wait to see how the facts sort themselves out.

Follow @MikeCummings37

One of the hottest properties in world football right now, Neymar’s immediate future and just whether it lies outside of Brazil is a topic to have been discussed ferociously in recent months. Read on for all the Samba starlet’s key scouting information heading into a hectic summer transfer window.

 

Age: 21

Contract Situation: Currently contracted to Santos until 2014, after the conclusion of the 2014 World Cup in his native Brazil.

Career Stops: Santos (2003-present)

Current Campaign: 2012 Brasileiro Serie A—17 appearances, 14 goals, eight assists; 2012 Copa Libertadores— 12 appearances, eight goals, three assists.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

 Like many young wunderkinds to come out of Brazil and the rest of South America, Neymar’s greatest talents undoubtedly lie in his trickery and ability to dribble.

That being said, the forward does have a remarkable knack for finishing when in front of goal, proving himself to not just talk the talk but walk the walk amongst the Brazilian elite.

However, doubts rest over Neymar’s physical attributes and just whether his frame would allow him to enjoy similar success in Europe.

Where Next?

Although a number of European outfits have certainly raised interest in the forward, Neymar’s most likely destination, if there is to be one, would appear to be Spain at this point.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have been heavily linked with Neymar’s services in the last two years and a titanic battle between the two La Liga giants looks set to ensue.

Joinville goalkeeper, Ivan, is quoted by Goal.com as saying that after a recent match against Santos, Neymar told him he can’t reject a European move any longer as "it’s too complicated.”

This comes just several days after Barcelona were reported to have had a second transfer bid for the young maestro turned down, as Goal.com reports.

In general, the top players in the world play for European clubs. Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta play for Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Real Madrid. The list goes on and on.

Then there is Neymar, widely considered one of the top talents in all of football. The Brazilian starlet is wanted by most of the big clubs in the world, yet the 21-year-old continues to ply his trade in Brazil for Santos.

And it appears he will do so for at least one more season.

Neymar's father told Radio Bandeirantes (via Joe Wright of Goal.com) that the player will stay in Brazil until the summer of 2014:

The question is, why?

It's easy to understand wanting to stay close to family, supporting Santos for another season and representing his Brazilian roots. But if you were a player of Neymar's caliber, wouldn't you want to take on the top competition the world has to offer?

Wouldn't you want to make your mark in La Liga, the English Premier League, the Bundesliga or Serie A?

While Neymar is already a global star based on his international appearances with Brazil, he'll never take his game to the next level until he's battling the top clubs in Europe over the duration of a full season. Plus, he's also missing out on playing with some of the top players in the world (since it's probably safe to assume he's headed to either Barcelona or Real Madrid). 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwacyN4Z8sw

He's ready for Europe, and this season would make sense to take that jump.

At Real Madrid, he could potentially be replacing Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been rumored to be making the jump back to the Premier League (h/t David Kidd of The Mirror).

At Barcelona, he would be the dynamic goalscorer the team desperately needs to take some pressure off of Lionel Messi if the team is to reclaim its European crown in the Champions League. 

Financially, Neymar is just fine. Santos has been paying him far from peanuts, and he's already one of the world's most marketable athletes. 

But the trophies that really matter, the prestige that comes with playing European club football, the chance to prove against the world's best that he is an elite talent...all of that still awaits. Most people in his shoes would either be making the jump this summer or would have already taken their talents overseas. 

Apparently, Neymar will wait one more year to do so. At this point, it's a bit hard to understand why.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmFA5c6FWqU

While the best in Europe were competing Wednesday night, Neymar and Santos had a big game of their own against Flamengo in the first round of the Copa do Brasil.

And much like the Champions League quarterfinals, the Brazilian match produced some top-class skill. In Spain, FC Barcelona's Andres Iniesta impressed with a slick 180-degree turn inside the Paris Saint-Germain box (GIF here, h/t Who Ate All The Pies).

And in Brazil, Neymar pulled off a no-look, backheel flick to set up a goal. Here's what happened.

Setting up about 10 yards outside the box, Neymar received a pass in the middle with his back to goal. Then, spotting the run of his teammate Giva, Neymar used his first touch to flick the ball into Giva's path.

Giva, a 20-year-old Brazilian forward, took care of the rest, rounding the keeper and scoring the opening goal in the 26th minute. A clip of the goal appears above. It's our Set Piece Video of the Day for this Thursday. Watch and enjoy.

Santos went ahead 2-0 five minutes later through Walter Montillo's header (Neymar supplied the assist again), but couldn't hold the lead. Flamengo responded with goals either side of halftime to claim a 2-2 draw. Edson Di did the honors both times, scoring in the 34th (from the penalty spot) and 55th minutes.

Full highlights of the match can be seen here.

The second leg of the tie will be held next Wednesday in Santos' Estadio Vila Belmiro.

(h/t 101 Great Goals)

Follow @MikeCummings37

He is the name on the lips of the biggest spenders in European football. Everybody and anybody who considers themselves part of the Champions League elite has looked at Neymar, but it is now at a point where only very few can afford to add him to their ranks.

The reason for the demand is clear—Neymar is an outstanding footballer with the potential to reach the very top of the game. Importantly, he also brings with him a collection of sponsors to make even Cristiano Ronaldo weep, as well as access to the massive emerging market of Brazil.

He is a player who captures the imagination like few others can, and with his interest in fashion and style, he has the potential to be the biggest footballing earner since David Beckham.

It should not be forgotten, though, that the most important factor behind his incredible popularity is footballing ability, and a major part of that is his ability to play a number of roles for a side.

The Santos forward has spent much of his career operating as a second striker. With a central target-man leading the line, his ability to read the game and finish snap chances makes him an important figure.

It is a role from which he is allowed to drift out to his favoured left-flank and exploit any weakness, while also maintaining a central-striking presence when the time allows.

He has also, over the past 18 months to two years, improved his skills greatly as a playmaker during the prolonged absences of former colleague Ganso.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiKiGGQGLQg

It is a position he has excelled in and could be called into action were he to move to Manchester City or Bayern Munich but would be less likely to play should he sign for Barcelona. For now, it must be considered Neymar's strongest tactical role, but there is little doubt he could be utilised elsewhere.

Should Neymar—as has been widely reported (Goal.com)—choose to join Barcelona when he leaves Santos, it is far more likely that he would be utilised in a left-sided inside forward role or as an occasional "False Nine."

The young Brazilian has played as an inside forward on a semi-regular basis throughout his career, and with David Villa's position at the club under continual review, it is the most obvious role for him to take up on arrival.

With a natural inclination to cut infield from the left and shoot right-footed, it is a role to which Neymar is well suited. At the international level, he has played in the role on a regular basis to varying effect but would surely benefit from playing in as well-oiled a unit as Barcelona on a regular basis.

The inside forward should be a goalscoring threat from a wide starting position, as Neymar no doubt is. What Neymar also offers that would place him among the best worldwide in the role is the ability to beat his marker on either side and use his left foot on a regular basis.

He has the potential to be highly destructive in the role.

If needed, though, Neymar could also operate as a false nine for the Catalan side with little second thought. With Brazil, Neymar spent much of 2012 playing the role in Mano Menezes' side and finished the year with an impressive return of nine goals in 12 games.

The role in Barcelona's preferred setup is naturally afforded to Lionel Messi, but Neymar would be the most natural replacement in the position the club could find. Certainly, he would be a more natural fit than either Alexis Sanchez or Cesc Fabregas, who have deputised over the past two seasons.

Neymar—although he can be selfish—has the ability to link play well in deeper areas and, if required, can lead the line and provide an aerial threat.

In that respect, he is one of the most rounded forwards in world football at present and, with the quality Barcelona could offer around him, would slip comfortably into a false-nine role if needed.

Perhaps, too, it is a role he would be asked to play should Pep Guardiola look to take him to Bayern Munich as has been suggested. (Metro)

It is this ability to play a selection of attacking roles to a very high level that makes Neymar such an attractive prospect to Europe's top sides. He is not pigeon-holed into one position and, no doubt, has been eyed for differing roles by each team that have looked at securing his signature.

As a long-term signing, he is the ideal choice. With his potential pull of high-profile sponsors, he would earn a significant amount of money for whichever club takes the gamble and he will no doubt assist in winning of trophies.

Importantly, though, whichever coaches or managers may come and go, he has the ability to adapt to their various preferred setups. With both Santos and Brazil he has been moved into a variety of roles and succeeded in each, becoming the leading light of both sides.

There are justifiably still doubts about his ability at the top level from many in Europe, but for those who have seen him progress, there is little reason to doubt that he can reach the very top levels of the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiKiGGQGLQg

Rarely is Neymar booed at his home ground, but after six matches without a goal (four for Santos and two for Brazil) an exasperated Vila Belmiro vented its frustration as he strode off the pitch following a 2-2 draw against Mogi Mirim on March 28.

Having failed to find the back of the net since the second week of February, Neymar came into Santos’ Paulista match away to Oeste on Easter Sunday in the midst of the worst scoring slump of his career, so you could understand his relief when, in the 66th minute, he finally put the ball into the back of the net.

And how.

After darting into space as Montillo made an exceptional run down the flank, Neymar took only a moment to square himself to goal upon receiving the ball before lashing it inside the top, right-hand corner of the net. Upon scoring he ran to celebrate with the traveling Santos fans and then struck a lightning post in tribute to Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

“It was a tribute to Bolt,” he told Brazilian outlet Globoesporte. I am a card-carrying fan of his. I hope one day I can meet him.

Earlier in the week Bolt, who was in Rio de Janeiro for a promotional event, had expressed his own admiration for Neymar, saying, “I like football, and a player I would really like to meet is Neymar.

With his barren spell now at an end Neymar has managed seven goals in 11 Paulista matches, and Santos are assured of a quarterfinal berth as they look to claim a fourth consecutive state championship.

Following the match Santos manager Muricy Ramalho praised his star forward, telling Globoesporte, “Neymar helped us. He made the goal; he fought; he created our best opportunities.”

He added, “Six games without scoring isn’t normal, but it happens. [Neymar] is still young and is learning things. He has to deal with these bad times.”

Follow me on Twitter: @jerradpeters