Neymar Signals Possible Return to Santos, President Confirms

Von James Westwood / Oliver Maywurm

December 12, 2023 – 6:29 p.m

Marcelo Teixeira, president of the traditional Brazilian club FC Santos, reported that he recently spoke on the phone with ex-Santos star Neymar. The 31-year-old, who now works for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, signaled that he could return one day.

Cookie settings

After a 1-2 defeat against Fortaleza Last week, Santos was relegated from Brazil’s first division for the first time in its glorious history. The club then decided not to award club legend Pelé’s jersey number 10 until his return to the upper house.

“He called me yesterday,” Teixeira said on TV Santa Cecília about his contact with Neymar. The offensive player said: “‘President, you will no longer give out the number 10 until we are promoted again. Please don’t give away the number 11 anymore until I return’. I am already happy and full of hope,” said Teixeira.

© getty

Neymar grew up in Santos’ youth system and made his breakthrough there as a professional. The super technician wore jersey number 11, which he now wants to reserve until a possible return.

Neymar won the Copa Libertadores with Santos

“We hope that Neymar will come back at some point,” emphasized Teixeira. “We’re no longer awarding the 10 for the moment. And for the 11 we’ll wait until our star returns.”

Neymar played a total of 139 competitive games for the Santos first team, scoring 72 goals and 37 assists. He also won the Copa Libertadores in 2011 with the traditional club. In the summer of 2013, the then 21-year-old left Santos for FC Barcelona for 88 million euros. Neymar has been under contract with Al-Hilal since August of this year and has signed there until 2025.

However, it has been falling since mid-October and will probably continue until the end of April 2024 with a torn cruciate ligament.