Published at: February 1, 2025 12:00 PM

Updated at: February 3, 2025 9:13 AM

SANTOS, Brazil Neymar has officially returned to Santos, the club where his career began, signing a six-month contract.

“The agreement is initially for six months, but we will do everything possible to keep him here longer,” said Santos vice-president Fernando Bonavides. “Our hope is that he stays until next year’s World Cup.”

At 32, Neymar returns after a brief stint in Saudi Arabia, where injuries kept him off the field for most of his time there. Just two months after arriving, he suffered a serious knee injury while playing in a World Cup qualifier, leading to a year-long recovery. Additional hamstring and knee issues further delayed his comeback.

Despite these setbacks, Neymar appeared happy and excited as he was introduced to fans at Santos’ Estadio Urbano Caldeira, where a special ceremony and musical performances marked the occasion.