Tag Archives: Neymar

Neymar Closing In on Deal to Return to Former Club Santos

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Neymar may be returning to his homeland soon…

The 32-year-old Brazilian soccer superstar is closing in on a return to his former club Santos, according to ESPN sources.

NeymarNeymar remains on the roster of Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, but the team’s manager Jorge Jesus said earlier in January that the Brazilian attacker can “no longer play at the level we are used to,” and wasn’t registered to play in the Saudi Pro League, leaving Neymar eligible to play only in the Asian Champions League.

As a result, Neymar has been looking for his next playing opportunity, and appears to have found it with the club with which he began his professional career.

Sources tell ESPN that Neymar’s contract with Al Hilal likely will be terminated, but the final details are still being negotiated. The two sides are expected to meet early this week with the hope of reaching an agreement.

If that occurs, Neymar is set to sign a six-month contract, which will have an option to be extended an additional year, with Santos.

If the deal with Santos is completed, Neymar is set to travel to Brazil this week, and could play for Santos as soon as February 5.

By terminating his Al Hilal contract, which ran through this summer, Neymar would walk away from about $65 million. Sources told ESPN he could make up at least some of the shortfall by having himself and his father, Neymar Santos Sr., become part of an investment fund that includes shares in Santos.

However, ESPN Brazil is reporting that Neymar is still determined to recoup the money from Al Hilal and that any deal involving shares in Santos would be extremely difficult to execute in the short term.

So, though the framework for a return to Santos is in place in principle, there are still sticking points.

If his return to Santos is completed, it will conclude a transfer saga that included the possibility of Neymar heading to MLS side Chicago Fire FC. However, Neymar’s preference was to return to Brazil to regain his form and possibly reclaim his place with the national team.

Neymar endured a difficult spell with Al Hilal after joining the Saudi Arabian club from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023 for a fee of $97.6 million.

The former Barcelona star suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while on international duty shortly after joining Al Hilal. He returned to the field last October, but a hamstring injury kept him from making more of a contribution. He made just seven league and cup appearances with just one goal scored in an AFC Champions League group stage match against Nassaji Mazandaran on Oct. 3, 2023.

Despite his struggles in Saudi Arabia, Neymar remains one of the biggest names in the sport thanks to his exploits alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez while with Barcelona from 2013 to 2017. In that time, he was part of sides that won a UEFA Champions League crown, two LaLiga titles, and three Copa del Reys.

He later moved to PSG in 2017 and won five Ligue 1 titles, three Coupe de Frances and two Coupe de la Ligues.

Neymar began his professional career with Santos in 2009, leading them to a Copa Libertadores triumph in 2011, when he scored in the second leg of the final, a 2-1 win over Peñarol.

At the international level, Neymar has appeared 128 times for Brazil, scoring a Selecao record 79 goals. He was part of the Brazil side that won the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, which Brazil hosted.

Neymar Reportedly ThisClose to Return One Year After Shock Injury

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Neymar may be getting back in the game soon…

The 32-year-old Brazilian professional footballer, who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the Brazil national team, has made significant improvement on his knee recovery and could be fit to play on October 21, per ESPN sources.

NeymarNeymar has been sidelined for a year since sustaining a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee while on international duty with Brazil.

Neymar returned to train with Al Hilal on September 29. People closely monitoring Neymar’s progress believe the player could return to play in time for Al Hilal’s Asian Champions League game at Al Ain on October 21.

Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus will have the final say on when Neymar will return to action.

However, he’ll first need the approval of Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, who carried out Neymar’s surgery.

Lasmar is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming days to evaluate the player’s fitness.

Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, joined the Saudi Pro League side in August 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain but played just five games before getting hurt.

Brazil’s Football Confederation is monitoring the situation closely and is hopeful of having Neymar available in time for the November World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay.

Endrick Called Up to Brazil’s National Team for Upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

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Endrick is answering the call…

The 17-year-old Brazilian soccer wonderkid and uncapped Palmeiras forward has been called up to Brazil‘s squad for their FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.

Endrick,The Real Madrid-bound soccer phenom has scored three goals in the last two games for Palmeiras.

“He is a player who has the potential to be one of the great talents,” Brazil coach Fernando Diniz said of Endrick. “We don’t know if it [talent] will be confirmed. It’s not pressure.

“It’s a reward and a future vision of what this kid can be. A boy born in 2006 producing what he produces catches my attention. And right now he is experiencing his best moment, playing against great teams in Brazil and managing to stand out.”

Endrick has scored 11 goals in 47 games across all competitions for Palmeiras this season. Real Madrid announced in December that Endrick would join them when he turns 18 in July 2024.

His father and agent, Douglas Ramos, told ESPN that his son’s inclusion in the Brazil team for the first team has caught them by surprise.

“To tell the truth, we were perhaps hoping to be called up to the Olympic team, which was my son’s focus,” Ramos said. “I hope it works out, we know his potential. Let it not be the last one, that more will follow.”

Among the other newcomers to the squad are forwards Pepê from FC Porto and Brighton and Hove Albion‘s João Pedro. Tottenham‘s Richarlison and Wolverhampton‘s Matheus Cunha were left out of the squad.

Brazil are without their top scorer Neymar, who underwent knee surgery after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee. Brazil play at Colombia on November 16, and host Argentina at the Maracana stadium five days later.

Diniz’s side is third in its qualifying group with seven points from four games. Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) announced on Monday that the team will play an international friendly against England at Wembley Stadium on March 23, 2024.

Neymar Scores First  Saudi Pro League Goal in Al-Hilal Match vs. Nassaji Mazandaran

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It’s a Saudi Pro League first for Neymar. 

The 31-year-old Brazilian superstar scored his first goal since his high profile move to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as Al-Hilal defeated Iran’s Nassaji Mazandaran 3-0 in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium in the group phase of the Asian Champions League.

Neymar,Neymar, who moved to the Saudi Pro League side from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer for €90 million ($94.23 million), was on target in an incident-filled clash that saw both teams reduced to 10 men with seven minutes remaining in the first half.

Aleksandar Mitrovic had headed the Saudi outfit in front in the 18th minute before referee Ma Ning sent off Al-Hilal’s Salman Al Faraj and Nassaji’s Amir Houshmand after consulting the pitchside monitor following an on-field melee.

Neymar doubled Al-Hilal’s lead with a perfectly timed left-foot strike in the 58th minute and substitute Saleh Al Shehri put the seal on a comfortable win in injury time.

The victory was Al-Hilal’s first in the group phase of the continental competition this season after the four-times champions started their campaign with a draw against Navbahor last month.

The Uzbek side backed up that result with a 3-0 win over Mumbai City on Tuesday to join Al-Hilal on top of Group D with four points after goals from Jamshid Iskanderov, Jasurbek Yakhshiboev and Doniyor Abdumannopov secured victory.

Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates moved into sole possession of top spot in Group A with a 4-2 win over Turkmenistan’s Ahal as Uzbek outfit Pakhtakor slipped to a 2-0 loss against Al Fayha from Saudi Arabia.

Al Ain backed up their opening round win over Pakhtakor with an impressive attacking performance in front of their own fans as Brazilian midfielder Erik put the former champions ahead in the fourth minute with a clinical finish.

Soufiane Rahimi and Kodjo Laba ensured Al Ain had a three-goal lead at the break and, while Elman Tagayew pulled one back in the 58th minute, Kouame Kouadio netted a fourth for the hosts that meant Dayanch Meredow‘s late strike was only a consolation.

Al Ain now have a three-point cushion over Ahal and Al Fayha, who had a goal in each half from Abdelhamid Sabiri to thank for their 2-0 win at home over Pakhtakor.

The winners in each of the 10 four-team groups are guaranteed to progress to the last 16, with the remaining places filled by the three teams from the east and west of the continent with the best runners-up records.

Neymar Overtakes Pele as Brazil’s All-Tme Men’s Top Scorer

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Neymar has overtaken a legendary compatriot…

The 31-year-old Brazilian soccer star netted twice in national team’s 5-1 win in their World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia to overtake Pele as Brazil’s all-time men’s top scorer.

NeymarThe Al Hilal forward was tied with Pele, who scored 77 goals for Brazil between 1957 and 1971. Neymar now has 79 goals in 125 international appearances.

“I never imagined reaching this record. I want to say that I am not better player than Pele,” said Neymar after the game. “I always wanted to make my own story, write my name in the history of Brazilian football and the national team. And today I did that.”

Brazil women’s forward Marta holds the country’s all-time record with 115 goals in 171 games.

Neymar’s record-breaking goal came after a low cross into the penalty box, which the striker finished with accuracy from close range. He celebrated with a punch in the air, as Pele usually did.

Earlier in the match, Neymar missed a penalty in the 17th minute, which goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra saved.

Pelé’s Foundation acknowledged Neymar’s achievement.

“Congratulations, Neymar Jr, for surpassing the King in goals for the Brazilian National Team in official FIFA matches,” it said on social media. “Surely Pelé is applauding you today!”

Pelé died from cancer Dec. 29 in Sao Paulo at the age of 82.

Striker Rodrygo, who also scored two goals against Bolivia, said he’s still very much a Neymar fan.

“Neymar is very much a hero of mine,” Rodrygo said. “This will be in my memory, this was a very special day.”

New Brazil coach Fernando Diniz said Neymar came to play for Brazil “to score goals, break records, show that he is very much willing to live this [with the national team.]”

“He is a great hero,” Diniz said. “People have to recognize it and accept it. He doesn’t do anything to get this adoration he gets from the crowd, it is because of the natural talent he has.”

Neymar’s most recent match for Brazil before the victory over Bolivia was the World Cup quarterfinal loss to Croatia. He left Qatar with doubts about his future in the national team and did not play the Selecao‘s first three games this year.

The former Santos, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star scored in his Brazil debut in a 2010 friendly against the United States.

Neymar guided Brazil to the Confederations Cup title in 2013 but has yet to lead them to a World Cup final, reaching quarterfinals twice — 2018 and 2022 — and the semifinal in 2014, when they suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany on home soil.

He missed out on Brazil’s 2019 Copa America triumph through injury and was on the losing side in 2021’s final against Argentina.

Neymar has enjoyed a glittering club career with honors, including two LaLiga titles, a Champions League trophy, five Ligue 1 titles and a Copa Libertadores.

Neymar Officially Joins Saudi Club Al-Hilal from PSG in Two-Year Deal

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Neymar’s transfer to the Middle East is complete…

The 31-year-old Brazilian soccer star has officially completed a move from French champions Paris Saint-Germain to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, the clubs confirmed Tuesday.

NeymarAs previously reported, Brazil’s joint all-time top scorer was close to accepting personal terms with Al Hilal after the clubs agreed a transfer fee of €90 million ($98.6m).

“I have achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places,” Neymar said.

“I want to write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players at the moment. I have heard a lot and learned that I am following a long list of Brazilian players who have played in Saudi Arabia over the years, so I believe it is the desired place.

“Al Hilal is a giant club with fantastic fans, and it is the best in Asia. This gives me a feeling that it is the right decision for me at the right time with the right club. I love winning and scoring goals, and I plan to continue doing that in Saudi Arabia and with Al Hilal.”

Neymar will link up with new teammates Kalidou Koulibaly, Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinković-Savić, who all made the move to Al Hilal earlier this summer.

Al Hilal are one of four clubs — along with Al Nassr, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad who were taken under the ownership of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in June as part of the country’s “Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project.”

Neymar has reportedly been offered a two-year contract expected to pay an annual salary of around $100 million. That would be around half of the reported salary Cristiano Ronaldo is being paid by Al Nassr.

“Neymar Jr is a global icon who has brought joy and pleasure to all fans wherever he plays,” Al Hilal chairman Fahad bin Saad bin Nafel said in a statement. “The spotlight is always on him and he always responds to it. We are delighted to have him join Al-Hilal, the most successful club in all of Asia.”

Neymar joined PSG in 2017 when the club — owned by Qatar Sports Investments — paid a still-world-record transfer fee of €222m to pry him away from Barcelona.

He scored 118 goals in 173 appearances for the Paris club and won numerous trophies, including five Ligue 1 titles, but was increasingly a target of fans’ frustrations as the club failed to win the UEFA Champions League.

“It is always difficult to say goodbye to an amazing player like Neymar, one of the best players in the world, said PSG president and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.

“I will never forget the day he arrived at Paris Saint-Germain, and what he has contributed to our Club and our project over the last 6 years. We had a great moment and Neymar will always be a big part of our history. I would like to thank Neymar and his family. We wish Neymar all the very best for the future and his next adventure.”

Al Hilal Agrees to $98.6 Million Deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Neymar

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Neymar is one step closed to making a move to the Middle (East)…

Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal has agreed to a €90 million ($98.6m) deal with Paris Saint-Germain for the 31-year-old Brazilian professional footballer and PSG forward, according to ESPN sources.

NeymarOn Sunday, reports surfaced that Brazil’s joint all-time top scorer was close to agreeing to personal terms with Al Hilal as the two clubs negotiated a deal. He will now join Al Hilal on a two-year contract with the option of a third.

Neymar will link up with new teammates Kalidou Koulibaly, Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinković-Savić, who all made the move to Al Hilal earlier this summer.

Al Hilal are one of four clubs — along with Al Nassr, Al Ahli and Al Ittithad who were taken under the ownership of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in June as part of the country’s so-called “Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project.”

Saudi Pro League clubs have pursued an aggressive recruitment strategy in this transfer window, offering lucrative contracts to some of the sport’s biggest stars.

PSG made Neymar the most expensive footballer of all time in 2017 — a record he still holds — when they dramatically signed him from Barcelona in a €222m deal.

Neymar’s move away from PSG brings an end to a tumultuous six years in the French capital, where he often struggled with injuries and off-field issues.

Neymar has won five Ligue 1 titles and 13 domestic honors in total with PSG, as well as finishing as runner-up in the 2020 Champions League final.

Neymar Close to Finalizing Deal with Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal

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Neymar is thisclose to finalizing terms for a move to the Middle East.

The 31-year-old Brazilian professional footballer and Paris Saint-Germain forward is close to agreeing to personal terms with Al Hilal and completing a move to the Saudi Pro League, according to ESPN.

NeymarPSG want €80 million ($88 million) for Neymar, but negotiations between the clubs are progressing well, sources said.

Sources added that Neymar is set to sign a two-year deal for €100m a year at Al Hilal, where he would potentially link up with Kalidou Koulibaly, Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The Brazil international was left out of PSG‘s squad for their opening Ligue 1 fixture of the season Saturday, a goalless draw against Lorient, amid reports of a move away from the club.

A return to Barcelona has been mooted, with Barca captain Sergi Roberto even saying he had discussed the topic with Neymar.

ESPN reported earlier this week that Neymar is keen to rejoin Barcelona this summer, but there is an internal debate at the club around the forward’s signing, with some arguing in favor of the move and others — including coach Xavi Hernandez — believing he would not fit into this Barca team.

The chances of a move happening are remote because of the club’s financial problems and Xavi’s opposition to his return.

Sources told ESPN that PSG, who signed forward Ousmane Dembélé from Barca on Saturday, would be happy for Neymar to leave.

Since moving to France in 2017, Neymar has won five Ligue 1 titles and 13 domestic honors in total, as well as finishing runner-up in the 2020 Champions League final.

Marco Asensio In Advanced Talks to Join Paris Saint-Germain as Free Agent

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Marco Asensio is looking to switch sides…

The 27-year-old Spanish professional footballer and Real Madrid attacker is in advanced talks to join Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, according to ESPN sources.

Marco AsensioThe Spain international, whose contract expires this summer, received a proposal to renew with Real Madrid that convinced him financially but he has decided to move on after a season in which he has started less than half of the club’s LaLiga games.

Aston Villa, Juventus and AC Milan have also reportedly shown interest in Asensio in recent months, but the PSG proposal is currently the one that’s proving most tempting to Asensio.

The good relationship between Jorge Mendes, Asensio’s agent, and Luis Campos, PSG’s sporting director, has been key in the negotiations, sources added.

PSG are planning an overhaul in the summer that will include the departure of Lionel Messi and the hiring of a coach to replace Christophe Galtier.

The Parisian team also want to part ways with Neymar and are looking for forwards to accompany Kylian Mbappe in attack, sources said. As a result, Asensio has emerged as an intriguing option because at 27 years old he would arrive with the best years of his career ahead of him and as a free agent.

More than the economic aspect, Asensio understood that his role at Real Madrid, in terms of minutes, was not going to change next season, hence his decision to leave the Santiago Bernabeu on June 30.

Neymar Scores in Return to World Cup Play & Helps Lead Brazil Into Quarterfinals

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Neymar and his teammates have danced their way into the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.

The 30-year-old Brazilian professional footballer scored a goal as Brazil beat South Korea 4-1 on Monday in a dazzling performance at Qatar 2022.

Neymar, Brazil, World CupNeymar, on his return from injury, made no mistake, nonchalantly strolling up and placing the ball to the goalkeeper’s left.

The goal was Neymar’s 76th for the national team, just one strike away from equaling Pelé as Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer. By scoring Neymar also became just the third Brazilian player in history after Pelé and Ronaldo to score at three different World Cups.

The team’s win was a real statement of intent from Brazil, as Tite’s side showed why it was considered the favorite to lift the trophy coming into the tournament.

Neymar, Brazil, World CupFour first-half goals from Vinicius Jr., Neymar Jr., Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta ended this match as a contest soon after it had begun, with a combination of shambolic Korean defending and brilliant Brazilian attacking play leading to the most one-sided game of this World Cup so far.

However porous the Korean defense was, the opening 45 minutes were truly a football spectacle and encapsulated everything that has made Brazil both feared and admired at the World Cup over the years.

That included some perfectly-timed choreographed dancing as Brazil celebrated each of its four goals in style, even convincing head coach Tite to join in with Richarlison’s ‘pigeon dance’ for the third goal.

The second half was little more than a procession for Brazil, as its players took their foot off the gas and began conserving their energy for the much sterner test against Croatia that lies ahead on Friday.

Seung-Ho Paik grabbed a consolation goal for Korea 15 minutes from time as his long-range strike took a deflection off Thiago Silva that helped it past Alisson into the far corner.

With the recent news that soccer great Pelé had been admitted to hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s players celebrated the win at full time with a banner paying tribute to the three-time World Cup winner.