Football Star Neymar Extends Contract with Boyhood Club Santos
Brazilian football superstar Neymar Jr. has extended his contract with his boyhood club Santos until December 2025. The 33-year-old forward, who returned to Santos in January 2025 after his stint with Al-Hilal, expressed his emotional connection to the club, calling it his "home" and "roots." The extension is seen as a significant moment for Santos and Brazilian football.
Unpacked:
Neymar terminated his contract with Al-Hilal by mutual consent before rejoining Santos in January 2025. He cited his emotional connection to Santos, describing it as his home, roots, and the place where he became a professional, saying he wanted to fulfill remaining dreams at his boyhood club.
Yes, Neymar’s contract with Santos runs until December 2025 and includes an option to extend through the 2026 World Cup. The deal also features performance-based incentives and a significant image rights agreement, with Santos committing to pay at least $15 million from sponsor and investment deals generated by Neymar’s presence.
Neymar’s return is highly significant for Santos, boosting the club’s profile and financial prospects through sponsorship and investments. For Brazilian football, his homecoming is seen as a major moment, bringing global attention back to the domestic league and inspiring fans and young players.
Neymar began his professional career at Santos, rising to stardom with the club before moving to Europe in 2013. He won several titles with Santos and became a national icon there. His return in 2025 marked a homecoming more than a decade after his initial departure.