When Neymar returned to his boyhood club earlier this year, it was meant to be the perfect circle—a homecoming filled with nostalgia, redemption, and a chance to lift the team that launched him into superstardom. Fans in Brazil envisioned fairytale endings, complete with goals, glory, and perhaps even a farewell dance under the spotlight of the Copa Libertadores. But reality, as it often does in soccer, has delivered something far more complicated.
The emotional unveiling of Neymar at Vila Belmiro in February was more than a PR moment—it was a national event. Crowds lined the streets, fireworks lit the sky, and the belief was unanimous: Brazil’s golden boy was home to save Santos.
But in just 15 appearances, Neymar has managed only four goals and three assists, with a solitary strike in the league. The player once feared across Europe is now struggling to find his rhythm on Brazilian soil, his return marred by injury setbacks, media scrutiny, and the weight of expectation.
His frustration reached a boiling point after a 2-1 defeat to Internacional. Confronted by angry fans in the stands, Neymar retorted with visible fury: “I’m giving my life out there,” he shouted, a statement that aired across national TV and revealed the mental toll of the situation.
Neymar vai deitar no Santos, voltar pra seleção, ganhar a copa do mundo e a bola de ouro.
Neymar no Santos: pic.twitter.com/xme86kuVic
— Manual do Piloto Pobre (@soupilotopobre) July 24, 2025
Surprising twist could see star back in Europe
With Santos sitting 17th in the league, one place below safety, the numbers paint a bleak picture: four wins, two draws, and nine defeats. Now, as the situation in Brazil reaches a boiling point, a stunning twist has emerged in Europe. Neymar is being linked with a return to Ligue 1—this time, not with Paris Saint-Germain, but with its fiercest rival.
According to multiple sources, Olympique de Marseille has opened negotiations to sign the Brazilian forward in a move that could shock the soccer world.
Marseille, a historic powerhouse and regular competitor in European tournaments, sees Neymar as the marquee signing to spearhead an ambitious new project. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the 33-year-old is said to be eager to regain competitive rhythm, and a return to Europe could be just what he needs.
“Neymar makes no secret of his ambition to return to competing at the highest level,” sources told Fichajes. “Marseille represents a concrete opportunity to do that.”
While the deal is far from finalized, the French club is reportedly prepared to make both financial and sporting sacrifices to bring Neymar to the Stade Velodrome. The player is said to be open to the move, viewing it as a chance to restore his standing in Europe, potentially in time to play a central role in Brazil’s next World Cup campaign.