Neymar Returns to Santos, Heeding Pele's Request
Neymar is pleased: Neymar is returning to the club where he began his journey in professional football—Santos. According to Diario Do Peixe, the Brazilian club has reached an agreement on the compensation amount with Saudi club Al-Hilal. The 32-year-old Neymar has been loaned to Santos for six months, the remaining duration of his contract with Al-Hilal. Afterward, as a free agent, he will sign a full-fledged contract with the Brazilian club. Both sides are open to the idea of Neymar ending his career at Santos.
As the source notes, Santos' management devised a clever strategy to persuade Neymar. The club created a video using artificial intelligence, featuring the legendary Pele, who passed away in 2022, presenting arguments in favor of the club where he spent nearly his entire career in the 1960s. Neymar was deeply moved and made his decision to return.