"The Prince is Back": Neymar rejoins Santos, eyes World Cup glory
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Santos: Neymar made a tearful return to his boyhood club, Santos, on Friday, greeted by thousands of fans and a concert at the Vila Belmiro Stadium. The 32-year-old signed a six-month contract with the club, which he hopes to extend, and expressed immense joy at his emotional return. The stadium lit up with fireworks, and a sign reading "The Prince is Back" welcomed the Brazilian superstar back home.
Neymar revealed that his move was motivated by dissatisfaction with his playing time at Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. He admitted that after recovering from an ACL injury, his lack of minutes left him feeling unhappy, leading him to seek a return to Santos. "Some decisions aren't based on soccer logic," Neymar explained, adding that training at Al-Hilal became difficult and mentally draining. His decision to move back was immediate. "I told my father (and agent) that I wanted to come back," he said.
The emotional homecoming was marked by about 20,000 Santos fans packing the stadium to celebrate their hero's return. The three-hour fiesta included local singers and was capped with Neymar's evening arrival, marking a special moment in Santos' history. "I am very happy. We lived great moments here, and there’s still a lot to come," Neymar said on the pitch.
Although Neymar’s contract is initially for six months, he emphasized that it could be extended, and he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return. He reflected on the decision to rejoin Santos as a "rescue" for his soccer soul. "I gave away a lot of things to be here. It was a perfect marriage at an unimaginable moment for both parts," he said.
Looking ahead, Neymar is determined to secure a World Cup victory in 2026, which he has stated will be the final one of his career. He is Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 125 matches. He also revealed that he has one more mission to complete: winning the World Cup trophy. "I am going after this World Cup trophy in any way I can. I have goals," he said.
Before his arrival at the stadium, Neymar greeted future teammates and club executives at Santos' training ground. After landing in the São Paulo countryside by private jet from Saudi Arabia, Neymar took a few hours to rest before arriving by helicopter to the stadium. Outside the venue, banners reading "The Prince is Back" were being sold, along with AI-generated graffiti portraying Neymar as a more mature figure wearing a crown— a symbolic gesture in a city that once celebrated Pelé as its king.
In a heartwarming video posted by Santos on social media, Neymar shared his excitement about wearing Pelé's iconic No. 10 jersey. “It will be an honor to wear this sacred jersey,” he said, reflecting on the responsibility that comes with following in the footsteps of the legendary player.
Neymar's return follows the mutual termination of his contract with Al-Hilal this week. His move to the Saudi club, which started in 2023, was marked by limited playing time and just seven appearances, during which he scored once. Al-Hilal had noted that Neymar could no longer perform at his previous level, following a year-long recovery from an ACL injury.
The Brazilian star has faced criticism in the past after leaving Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain for new challenges, but he hopes that his return to Brazil will be met with affection. Neymar was also congratulated by former teammates, including Luis Suárez, Gianluigi Buffon, Andrés Iniesta, and Rodrygo, who sent their well-wishes for his homecoming.
During his first stint at Santos from 2009-2013, Neymar played 225 matches, scoring 138 goals and helping secure six titles for the club. Santos, which faced relegation in 2023 but has since returned to Brazil’s top division, is now pinning hopes on Neymar's return to reinvigorate the team.
Victor Hugo Arantes, an event producer from Santos, described Neymar's return as a "rebirth" for the city, which has been reeling from Pelé's passing and the club's relegation. “We weren’t expecting this. Neymar could play anywhere else, but I think his heart spoke louder,” Arantes said.
Anderson Souza, a Santos resident not aligned with the club, also expressed hope that Neymar’s return would revitalize the city. "Pelé died, the team was relegated, and there was a lot of gloom. I hope Neymar brings some energy back," Souza said, though adding that fans will expect nothing less than his best performances.
Neymar responded with confidence: “I didn’t come to stay home on my couch. I came after my happiness as a soccer player and to help Santos.”
With PTI inputs