On Friday, a tearful Neymar was joyfully welcomed back to Santos by thousands of fans celebrating his return in the rain at the Vila Belmiro Stadium. He expressed his happiness during a media conference, highlighting his emotional struggle during his time at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where he had limited playing time due to an ACL injury.

“I am very happy. We lived great moments here. There’s still a lot that could come,” Neymar said.

With a six-month contract that may extend, Neymar has resolved to pursue the 2026 World Cup trophy earnestly. “I have goals,” he stated, affirming that this championship will likely be his last in professional soccer.

Neymar’s fans, around 20,000 strong, filled the stadium to celebrate their beloved player’s return, highlighting his pivotal role in the club’s past successes with 138 goals scored during his first term at Santos. The atmosphere included celebrated local musicians, fireworks, and heartfelt messages from former teammates like Luis Suárez and Gianluigi Buffon.

He remarked on the challenges faced during his time abroad but claimed that his heart spoke loudly when the opportunity to return to his roots arose.

As he dons the revered No. 10 jersey vacated by the legendary Pelé, he reflected on coming full circle, emphasizing, “It will be an honor to wear this sacred jersey.”

Moreover, the termination of his contract with Al-Hilal was mutually agreed upon due to performance issues, creating a new chapter for Neymar as he aims to reclaim his place in soccer stardom and the hearts of his fans.