Neymar's future at Santos remains a hot topic as his current contract nears its end on June 30. Despite swirling rumors linking him to Major League Soccer and even a potential return to Europe, particularly Barcelona, recent reports suggest that the Brazilian superstar is "very close" to a new extension with his boyhood club.
Santos president Marcelo Teixeira has been vocal about the club's desire to retain Neymar. He told Radio Bandeirantes on Sunday that negotiations with Neymar's representatives are progressing well. "We are making great progress with our negotiations and are very close to a new agreement that would allow Neymar to stay for a new period," Teixeira stated, instilling hope among Santos fans.
Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, rejoined Santos on a six-month contract in January after an injury-plagued spell with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. Since his return, he has made 12 appearances for Santos across all competitions, scoring three goals and providing three assists. However, his form and fitness have been a concern since recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament sustained in October 2023.
Despite the challenges, Neymar has expressed a strong emotional connection to Santos. In a recent interview with BandSport, he rated the chances of staying at Santos as "seven out of ten," emphasizing his deep affection for the club. "I was born in Santos, and I want to die there," the 33-year-old said, highlighting his commitment to his childhood team. He added that he returned to Santos to rediscover his happiness and rebuild his fitness after injury setbacks.
Neymar's father has also indicated that remaining with Santos through the 2026 World Cup is an option being considered. "We'll study all that. But there's a good chance he'll stay at Santos. I'm working for that," he said. This statement suggests that Neymar's camp is seriously considering an extended stay at Santos, which would be a significant boost for the club and its supporters.
While the possibility of a Santos extension seems promising, other clubs are reportedly still interested in Neymar. His father mentioned that there is interest in Neymar, and they are traveling to Miami to have discussions with several clubs, including some participating in the Champions League. Marseille has also reportedly made an offer for Neymar. However, Neymar's priority appears to be Santos, where he feels at home and wants to contribute to the club's restructuring and success.
Teixeira defended Neymar from criticism that his off-field behavior and celebrity lifestyle were affecting his game. "Off the pitch, he has his issues that are always very controversial," Teixeira said. "His profile means that everything he does has worldwide repercussions. We understand that." Teixeira added that his goal was to help Neymar recover in time to play for Brazil at next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. "We all want to see Neymar there, and he wants to play," he said. "He's going through a recovery process, and we want to help him through it so that he can come back better and stronger very soon."
