It wasn’t the comeback Neymar had hoped for—not even close. After leaving Al Hilal, the 33-year-old Brazilian star signed with Santos FC in a bid to recover his best form ahead of the 2026 World Cup. But injuries have continued to haunt him, and his team has fallen short of expectations.
Far from competing for titles, Santos is now facing relegation to Brazil’s second division. In this bleak scenario, Neymar is reportedly reconsidering his future with the club.
According to Diario AS, Olympique de Marseille has expressed interest in signing Neymar. His contract with Santos runs through December 2025, which could allow him to leave on a free transfer during the January window.
Neymar has struggled to regain consistency: just 16 appearances in his second stint with Santos, tallying four goals and three assists, while missing ten matches due to injury. Marseille executives, however, believe his slump is temporary, trusting his natural talent and global impact over the last decade. Still, the transfer is far from complete—either they wait until January, or they’ll need to submit an offer to Santos now.
Backlash from Santos supporters
After a recent match, Torcida Jovem, a prominent Santos fan group, publicly criticized Neymar, stating:
“The Santos supporters cannot ignore such a humiliating night. You said you were offended by a fan calling you and your family mercenaries, and replied that you could be earning a lot more elsewhere—something we already know.”
The group also called out the club’s leadership:
“To the board: Show strength. The saying that ‘no one is above the club’ also applies to you. Be brave enough to say what needs to be said, and do what needs to be done. Find direction urgently, because you’re as responsible as the players for this crisis.”
Neymar responds to harsh criticism
Neymar addressed the controversy on social media with an emotional message:
“In the heat of the moment, it’s hard to control your emotions when you’re unfairly insulted. I would never argue with a fan for criticizing my performance—they have the right to boo. But what they can’t do is insult me like that. (Unfortunately, I only heard the guy at that moment; the game was stopped.)
Calling me and my father mercenaries and talking about my family… I’m sorry, but that’s hard to tolerate—even if I know I should. I came back to Santos to help the club in every way I could, on and off the pitch. And if fans ever feel I’m hurting the club or no longer helping, I’ll be the first to pack my bags and leave. Santos is one of my greatest passions, and as long as I can, I’ll give my all for this club. I’ll run, fight, scream, and push myself until the end to bring Santos back where it belongs.
Sincerely,
Neymar
#NaçãoSantista”