Neymar takes on Pelé’s 10 and cries on his return to Santos: “I feel 17 years old…”
The forward, who terminated his contract with Jorge Jesus’ Al Hilal to return home, admits that returning to the Brazilian national team is his goal and is aiming to win the World Cup. Brazilian international spoke about Pedro Caixinha
«The Prince is back». Neymar is officially back at Santos . The 32-year-old striker took over Pelé’s number 10 shirt and was welcomed with a party at Vila Belmiro. The club, led by Portuguese Pedro Caixinha, held an event at the stadium, which was attended by fans and musicians who are supporters of the Brazilian club.
The Brazilian international, who terminated his contract with Jorge Jesus’ Al Hilal to return home, was accompanied by his idols and was moved to tears when he stepped onto the Vila Belmiro pitch. The striker should join training in the coming days, but there is still no date set for his debut . Neymar will be at Vila Belmiro this Saturday to watch Santos ‘ game against São Paulo , in the sixth round of the Paulista.
“It’s a very special day for me, I’m very happy. I said there that when I was a boy I stepped into Vila with that banner [100% Jesus] and I couldn’t help but come back like this. I’m very happy, we’ve had many beautiful moments here. If it depends on me, on the love and affection I have for this club, there will be no lack of strength, grit, determination, faith and, obviously, a lot of boldness,” he began by saying.
Owner of the number 11 jersey in his first spell at Santos , Neymar now takes on the number 10, a historic number immortalized by Pelé, which was not used during the Série B of the Brasileirão , in 2024.
“As I said, this is a very special day for me. My children, my wife, my mother, my father, my best friends and the most wonderful fans in the world are here. This day will be remembered for the rest of my life. Thank you to everyone who is taking part in this moment, to those who are following from afar, who are rooting for my happiness and who from now on will also support Santos ,” said the footballer.
At a press conference, Neymar also broke down in tears, admitting that a month ago he had not thought about the possibility of leaving Al Hilal .
«I have some decisions that go beyond the logic of football. And some are shocking. When I was sure I was going to return, I confess that in January, beginning of January, I didn’t imagine going back to Santos , nor leaving Al Hilal . My family was happy and I was eager to play. But things happened and I had to make a decision. I started to feel sad during training, in my day to day life, and it wasn’t good for my head. The opportunity to return arose and I didn’t think twice. I had already told my father that I wanted to return to Santos and everything went well. Everyone is happy, me and my family, not to mention my friends. I’m back, with renewed energy”, he said, assuming that returning to the Brazilian national team is a goal.
“When I step foot here, I feel 17 again. Very excited, really wanting to play. Obviously I want to return to the national team. I still have something to achieve [World Cup], a mission that I think is my last, so I’m going after it no matter what. I have goals,” he said, reflecting on his return to fishing.
“My father did practically everything. Marcelo Teixeira [president of Santos ] knows this and has his merits. My father was fundamental in this negotiation. It’s his favorite club, my family’s club, my grandmother was here and I hugged her, I didn’t think I could experience this. It was a lot of happiness. It was a hug to say that we did it. I was victorious in this life. I’ve been away from the pitch for a long time, I had two games at Al Hilal after my injury. I play anywhere. I have improved more in the number 10 position over the years, since PSG, I have played in that position. It will depend on the coach, whether on the wing, as a number 9, as a midfielder, however you want. I’m here to help, that’s what I talked to my teammates that I met. I come to add in a big way. I know who I am and my potential. I want to help. I want to win, I’m thirsty for victories and that’s what I think”, he explained, revealing that, if he could, he would already play for Santos with São Paulo .
«There is no time to play. I told them to sign up quickly. I would guarantee thirty minutes (laughs). Physically I’m much better. I’m not 100 percent yet. I need minutes, games, and it’s not just through training that I’ll be in good physical shape. I will gain that over time. I’m much better than I was when I started playing again. I was feeling good in training at Al Hilal . I just don’t play [with São Paulo ] because I’m not registered,” he said.
Neymar spoke about Pedro Caixinha: “I heard that he is a competent coach, who likes to play forward, aggressive, so that is Santos ‘ DNA , we know that. It just needs to fit in, time, it’s not going to take a month to get Santos flying. This requires training, mistakes, adjustment in the best way. Everyone feels when the team is not doing well. I hope to help with words, showing things in training. I know who I am and my role. I came to help and be one more person who will be running and giving his life so that Santos can be at the top of the table, where it deserves to be», he said, speaking about his short contract – six months – with Santos.
“It is too early to talk about extending the contract. Santos gave me the opportunity to come back. Obviously I gave up a lot of things to be here. It was a perfect marriage. A moment imagined by all parties and it happened. Signing a six-month contract that can obviously be extended, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, because two weeks ago I didn’t even imagine being here. It is a six-month contract that can be extended. It’s up to me to dedicate myself 100%, there’s no point in coming back here with a name. I came back to play and be happy, score goals and help Santos . They opened the door for me and I’m happy, I hope to help,” he explained.
Neymar also commented on whether he recommended players for Santos to sign: “Neymar Sr.’s phone is working very hard. Mine is off. Obviously when I’m asked about a player, I give my opinion. I’m not going to get involved in this. That’s up to our president, our coach and our CEO. I’m sure they will put together the best team possible. I’m not facing the best moment in Santos ‘ life , in the team’s life, but they all know they have to improve, they have to honor the shirt. That’s what we’re going to do.»
