Soccer
Neymar is ready for next step, say teammates
With his time at Al Hilal reportedly coming to an end, Neymar’s next move could see him return to his roots.

Neymar’s time in the Saudi Pro League looks to be coming to an end as Al Hilal move closer to parting ways with the injury-struck star.
The Brazilian was a massive $98 million signing when he arrived from Paris Saint-Germain 18 months ago but he has barely featured due to a string of injuries. Neymar’s current deal expires this summer and, with no real motivation on either side to extend it, he could move away from the club this month.
There has been real interest from teams in MLS but Brazilian giants Santos look like Neymar’s most likely destination. A loan deal would allow Neymar to return to Brazil and represent his former club. Speaking this week, two of Neymar’s international teammates came out in support of the move.

Real Madrid star Vinícius Junior, who many have cited as Neymar’s long-term replacement for the national team, made his thoughts clear: “For Brazil it is important to have a player like Ney, even more so at Santos, which is his home, where he played so many games.”
“Ney is our idol and we hope he can return to play as soon as possible,” Vinícius added. “May he be able to calmly take the best decision for him and his family.”
That sentiment was echoed by Barcelona’s Raphinha, who told TNT Sports Brasil: “I think him returning to compete at a high level, and in my opinion the Brazilian league is at a high level, will be good not only for him, but for everyone.”
“I think a player like him can never stand still, not be active,” Raphinha continued, reflecting on Neymar’s injury-struck last few years. “What is happening at his club may be hindering him from returning to his best physically.”
Although Neymar’s return to Santos has not yet been confirmed there is a clear desire to make it happen. The only sticking point will be the 32-year-old’s vast salary, reportedly around $108 million per year in Saudi. That will be prohibitively expensive for Santos, and pretty much any other team on the planet, but Neymar’s team will be working to find a compromise that suits all parties.
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