SANTOS – A tearful Neymar was welcomed again to his boyhood membership on Friday by 1000’s of Santos followers and a live performance within the residence stadium beneath an digital signal saying, “The prince is again.”
The 32-year-old signed a six-month contract, which he mentioned may very well be prolonged.
Neymar later admitted his return was additionally as a result of his feeling sad at Saudi Arabian membership Al-Hilal earlier this yr as he struggled to get taking part in time. He mentioned he could be able to play for Santos a minimum of half-hour in a match scheduled for Saturday if he was given the go-ahead by native soccer authorities.
About 20,000 raucous Santos followers crammed their Vila Belmiro Stadium within the rain exterior Sao Paulo to rejoice the Brazilian’s return.
His night arrival highlighted by fireworks capped a three-hour fiesta which additionally featured native singers.
“I’m very completely satisfied. We lived nice moments right here. There’s nonetheless rather a lot that would come,” Neymar mentioned on the pitch.”
Neymar mentioned at a media convention that he and his household had tailored nicely to Saudi Arabia, however his lack of taking part in time since his return from an ACL damage — he hasn’t performed since November — pressured his transfer.
“Some selections aren’t about soccer logic,” Neymar mentioned. “I began getting unhappy in coaching classes (at Al-Hilal), and it wasn’t good for my head. So there was the possibility to return again and I didn’t assume twice. For the reason that first day I made a decision I wished to return again, I advised my father (and agent) and all of it labored.”
The striker signed his contract upon arrival and added it’s “too quickly to talk” about extending his deal till the 2026 World Cup, which he says would be the final he’ll play in his profession. He additionally mentioned his return house is a “rescue” for his personal soccer soul.
“Santos gave me the possibility to return again. I gave away a number of issues to be right here. It was an ideal marriage at an unimaginable second for each components. Nonetheless, it occurred,” Neymar mentioned. “We’ve a six-month contract that may clearly be prolonged. Two weeks in the past I did not even assume I’d be right here.”
Neymar additionally mentioned he has “another factor to win, a mission that would be the final.”
“I’m going after this World Cup trophy in any means I can. I’ve objectives,” mentioned Neymar, who’s Brazil’s all-time prime objective scorer with 79 objectives in 125 matches.
Shortly earlier than, Neymar greeted his future teammates and membership executives on the Santos coaching floor.
Neymar’s personal jet landed within the Sao Paulo state countryside from Saudi Arabia within the morning however he requested just a few hours of relaxation earlier than being flown into Santos by helicopter.
Banners studying “The prince is again” have been promoting for 10 reais ($1.50) exterior the 20,000-seat Vila Belmiro Stadium.
Graffiti impressed by synthetic intelligence exterior the stadium confirmed Neymar wanting extra mature and with a crown on his head — no small feat in a metropolis the place Pelé was king for many years till he died in December 2022 at age 82.
Video posted by Santos on social media confirmed Neymar not sporting the No. 11 that was his throughout his first spell from 2009-13. He’ll put on Pelé’s No. 10.
“It is going to be an honor to put on this sacred jersey,” Neymar mentioned within the video.
Saudi membership Al-Hilal terminated Neymar’s contract with mutual consent this week, six months early, after taking part in solely seven matches and scoring as soon as since September 2023. The ACL damage sidelined him for a yr till October. Al-Hilal mentioned Neymar may not carry out like he used to.
Neymar additionally left Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain to criticism, although he delivered silverware and objectives. On Thursday, he mentioned he hopes to get some love again residence, the place he’s revered.
Former teammates appeared in a video to congratulate Neymar on the transfer, together with Luis Suárez, Gianluigi Buffon, Andres Iniesta and Rodrygo.
Neymar performed 225 matches for Santos in his first spell. He scored 138 objectives, a lot of them key to successful six titles on the Brazilian big, which was relegated in 2023 and returned to the highest division final yr.
“For us, Neymar’s return is a rebirth,” mentioned Victor Hugo Arantes, 45, an occasion producer in Santos. “We weren’t anticipating this. Neymar may play wherever else, he has the extent to be in prime leagues. I believe his coronary heart spoke louder.”
Neymar was the most costly participant in soccer historical past when he transferred from Barcelona to PSG for 222 million euros (then $262 million) in 2017. He was offered to Al-Hilal in 2023 for 90 million euros ($94 million).
Anderson Souza, 43, lives in Santos and isn’t a supporter of the membership. However he’s a kind of who believes Neymar will put town again on the map after some robust instances.
“Pelé died, the staff was relegated, there was a number of gloom. I hope he’s bringing some power again, folks want it,” Souza mentioned. “However he must know that individuals will need him to carry out, to make an effort for them, to be at his finest. Santos followers love him, however they aren’t fools.”
Neymar mentioned soccer followers like Souza don’t want to fret.
“I’m not right here to take a stroll, I did not come to remain residence on my sofa,” Neymar mentioned. “I got here after my happiness as a soccer participant and to assist Santos.”
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Copyright 2025 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials might not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.