The enduring connection of Neymar with his roots appears poised for a new phase as the prominent Brazilian athlete nears an agreement to extend his contract with Santos, the team from his formative years.
According to reports from The Athletic, the player, now 33, is on the verge of finalizing fresh conditions that would secure his presence at Vila Belmiro through December of the current year, a recognition for his pivotal role in ensuring the team’s continued participation in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
Following a challenging two-year period with the Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, the erstwhile sensation rejoined his childhood team for the 2025 campaign, concluding the season with an impressive surge, tallying 11 goals in 28 matches across various tournaments, with eight of those goals registered in the Brasileirão.
Despite his homecoming season being shadowed by ongoing health issues, Neymar might still be preparing for a concluding flourish with the Seleção, particularly since Carlo Ancelotti has indicated he hasn’t dismissed the possibility of including him in Brazil’s roster for the 2026 World Cup.
The impact Neymar has had on football, both within his country and internationally, is unequivocally significant; he holds the record as Brazil’s leading goal-scorer with 79 goals, having also been a key figure for Santos, Barcelona, and PSG throughout a career spanning numerous combined matches and accumulating close to 450 goals for his clubs and national team.
📸 MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL – AFP or licensors
