Neymar extends the contract with Santos until the end of 2025

Neymar extended his contract with the Brazilian club Santos on Tuesday until the end of December.

The 33-year-old attacker returned to his boys’ club at the end of January, but is limited by injuries. The current deal would expire next week.

«I expanded my contract with Santos. I went, I came back and I stayed where it all started and where it will never end,» Neymar said in a video on his social media channels.

Neither of the two parties explained why he only extended his contract in the mid -2026, when many Brazilians still expect him to play in the World Cup. Earlier in June, the new Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti hinted that he is counting on the recovery of Neymar to play in the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Since he left Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal for Santos, Neymar has played 12 games, scored three goals and offered three assists. He had two long -term periods of absence due to muscle injury.

Neymar played 225 games for Santos in his first enchantment. He scored 138 goals, many of them key to winning six titles at the Brazilian giant, who was banned in 2023 and returned to the top division last year.

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His last performance for the team was frustrating; He was sent on June 1 in the 76th minute from the 1-0 loss from Santos to Botafogo after he used his hand to score.

Realizing that he would not reach the ball with his head before a defender could clean him up, Neymar used his right hand to push the ball into the net.

The Brazil attacker already had a yellow card and was shown his second by the referee, who then had not allowed the goal. Botafogo then scored the winner in the 86th.

Saudi Club Al-Hilal ended Neymar’s contract with mutual permission, six months early, after he had only played seven games. An ACL injury brought him offside for a year until October. Al-Hilal said that Neymar could no longer perform like before.

Neymar also left Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain to criticism, despite supplying silverware and goals.

Santos is in 15th position in the Brazilian league with 11 points after 12 games.