Neymar has ended weeks of speculation about his future by choosing to stay at his boyhood club, Santos. On the final day of 2025, the Brazilian star signed a one-year contract that will keep him with the club until December 31, 2026, confirming that a move away is no longer on the table.
Contract discussions between Neymar and Santos had been ongoing for several days, with uncertainty growing due to persistent rumours over the past few weeks. Much of the speculation linked Neymar with a potential move to Inter Miami, where he was expected to join Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. However, those plans never materialised. Several football experts have since backed Neymar’s decision, suggesting that at this stage of his career, he should continue competing in a more challenging footballing environment rather than moving to a less competitive league.
This agreement marks Santos’ third contract with Neymar in 2025. Earlier in the year, the club had signed him on two separate six-month deals. This time, both parties opted for a longer commitment, extending the relationship for a full 12 months. The move has been widely praised, particularly because Neymar has agreed to play on a significantly reduced salary compared to what he earned during his spells at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Al Hilal.
Off the field, Neymar’s connection with Santos may continue to grow. The club already has commercial ties with his company, NR Sports, and multiple reports suggest that Neymar is in talks with Paris Saint-Germain regarding the potential sale of Santos. If such a deal were to go through, it could eventually see Neymar take on an ownership role at the club where his journey began, further strengthening his legacy at Santos.
Neymar with his family
This time, Santos and Neymar need each other. The reason behind this is Neymar's injury. He recently underwent surgery. He'll return to the field in February. Even if Neymar left Santos, no team would be interested in signing him before the summer transfer window. This would be bad for Neymar ahead of the World Cup. Santos' medical team, on the other hand, is working to rehabilitate Neymar following surgery.
