Neymar won’t return to Europe: decides to stay at Santos for another year

There had been reports that Neymar, one of the stars of the Brazil national team and global football, was considering a return to a European club to regain his form ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, it has now been revealed that these plans will not come to fruition.

Flick’s opposition rules out Barcelona option

The 33-year-old forward had offered his services to Barcelona multiple times through his agents. However, the team’s new head coach, Hansi Flick, taking into account Neymar’s age and injury history in recent years, decided not to include him in his plans.

One more season at Santos

According to TNT Sports, Neymar has completely abandoned the idea of returning to Europe and intends to extend his contract with Santos for another year. His current deal was initially set to expire on June 30, 2024.

Ancelotti’s support as motivation

Another significant development in the football world — the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as head coach of the Brazil national team — has also impacted Neymar’s future. It’s reported that Ancelotti personally reached out to Neymar and expressed his confidence in him. This is seen as added motivation for the striker.

Injuries in his career — the main obstacle

However, the last two years of Neymar’s career have been plagued by injuries. Since his return to Santos in January, he has appeared in only nine matches, scoring three goals and providing three assists. His last appearance was on April 17, after which he suffered another injury and spent the past month recovering.

Zamin.uz commentary:

Neymar’s immediate future remains in Brazil. Whether he will feature at the 2026 World Cup as a key player depends entirely on his health and form. For now, he continues his road to recovery with Santos.

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