A tearful Neymar was welcomed again to his boyhood membership on Friday by hundreds 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 stated might be prolonged.
Neymar later admitted his return was additionally on account of his feeling sad at Saudi Arabian membership Al-Hilal earlier this 12 months as he struggled to get enjoying time. He stated he could be able to play for Santos at the very least 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 stuffed their Vila Belmiro Stadium within the rain outdoors 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 blissful. We lived nice moments right here. There’s nonetheless loads that would come,” Neymar stated on the pitch.”
Neymar stated at a media convention that he and his household had tailored effectively to Saudi Arabia, however his lack of enjoying time since his return from an ACL damage — he hasn’t performed since November — compelled his transfer.
“Some choices aren’t about soccer logic,” Neymar stated. “I began getting unhappy in coaching periods [at Al-Hilal], and it wasn’t good for my head. So there was the possibility to come back again and I didn’t suppose twice. Because the first day I made a decision I needed to come back again, I instructed 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 stated his return house is a “rescue” for his personal soccer soul.
“Santos gave me the possibility to come back again. I gave away a number of issues to be right here. It was an ideal marriage at an unimaginable second for each elements. Nonetheless, it occurred,” Neymar stated. “Now we have a six-month contract that may clearly be prolonged. Two weeks in the past I did not even suppose I’d be right here.”
Neymar additionally stated he has “yet one more factor to win, a mission that would be the final.”
“I’m going after this World Cup trophy in any method I can. I’ve targets,” stated Neymar, who’s Brazil‘s all-time high objective scorer with 79 targets 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” had been promoting for 10 reais ($1.50) outdoors the 20,000-seat Vila Belmiro Stadium.
Graffiti impressed by synthetic intelligence outdoors the stadium confirmed Neymar trying 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 stated within the video.
Saudi membership Al-Hilal terminated Neymar’s contract with mutual consent this week, six months early, after enjoying solely seven matches and scoring as soon as since September 2023. The ACL damage sidelined him for a 12 months till October. Al-Hilal stated Neymar may now not carry out like he used to.
Neymar additionally left Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain to criticism, despite the fact that he delivered silverware and targets. On Thursday, he stated 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 targets, lots of them key to successful six titles on the Brazilian big, which was relegated in 2023 and returned to the highest division final 12 months.
“For us, Neymar’s return is a rebirth,” stated Victor Hugo Arantes, 45, an occasion producer in Santos. “We weren’t anticipating this. Neymar may play anyplace else, he has the extent to be in high leagues. I believe his coronary heart spoke louder.”
Neymar was the costliest 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 the town again on the map after some robust instances.
“Pelé died, the crew was relegated, there was a number of gloom. I hope he’s bringing some vitality again, individuals want it,” Souza stated. “However he must know that folks will need him to carry out, to make an effort for them, to be at his finest. Santos followers love him, however they don’t seem to be fools.”
Neymar stated 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 stated. “I got here after my happiness as a soccer participant and to assist Santos.”
Reporting by The Related Press.
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