Since leaving Barcelona 2017, Neymar's career has been a turbulent one, seemingly filled with as many injuries as goals or trophies.
His six seasons at PSG were spent futilely chasing a Champions League crown, and he departed in the summer of 2023 for Saudi side Al Hilal given the promise of a massive payday and the potential for more winning at one of Asia's biggest clubs.
Instead, he tore his ACL on international duty with Brazil after just five matches for the club, and faced a long year of recovery to get back on the pitch. Now 32 years old, Neymar finally returned for Al Hilal but was injured after just 17 minutes, sidelined with a hamstring injury that dug up still fresh wounds.
With his Al Hilal career seemingly in tatters thanks to repeated injury concerns, there are rumors that Neymar is hoping to return to his boyhood club Santos to finish out his playing days at a familiar place that where could feel comfortable and loved.
The Sporting News lays out the latest news and information behind rumors of Neymar's potential move back home along with the details for why he would decide to return to the Brazilian league.
Latest news, reports for Neymar move to Santos
According to Argentine journalist Cesar Luis Merlo on November 17, Neymar is "ready to return to Santos," an agreement for his transfer from Al Hilal has "already" been reached, and his termination at the Saudi club "is being worked on."
Merlo's report states the goal is to announce the move after the Copa Libertadores final concludes at the end of November.
However, Neymar's mega agent Pini Zahavi has efforted to squash those reports, telling transfer guru Fabrizio Romano: "There are no talks ongoing for Neymar to leave Al Hilal. He’s under contract and very happy there.
"Neymar’s father and me, we are the only people who can talk about Ney’s future. I don’t know where recent rumours are coming from."
Zahavi's comments seemed to crush the rumors of a Santos return in their tracks, but where there's smoke, there's still often fire, and the agent would be motivated to keep a lid on public chatter if a deal isn't quite complete.
Why would Neymar transfer to Santos?
After an injury-plagued career at Al Hilal, there's plenty of reason for Neymar to consider a move back home.
The 32-year-old's absence has made it clear his new Saudi side doesn't exactly need his star power on the pitch. They won the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League title, and are in the mix for another crown, sitting second through 11 games just two points back of Al Ittihad.
They reached the semifinals of the AFC Champions League that year, falling by just a single goal on aggregate to Al Ain, and they are well on track to qualification of the next stage in this year's continental journey.
Additionally, a rehab of his club career would be ideal for one last push on the international level. Brazil has been rudderless in Neymar's absence, and getting him to a comfortable environment could be extremely beneficial for the Selecao should he return in good spirits and health.
While he would likely take a significant financial hit in doing so, as the Brazilian club surely can't pay him remotely close to what Al Hilal and the Saudi PIF could muster, he's likely already cashed in big to this point and may place the rehabilitation of his remaining career above financial gain.
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Since leaving Barcelona 2017, Neymar's career has been a turbulent one, seemingly filled with as many injuries as goals or trophies.
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