Soccer
Neymar’s future takes a damning turn
Palmeiras ruled out any possibility of signing Neymar due to the former PSG and FC Barcelona player’s injury history.
Neymar continues to face challenging moments in his career. After returning to action, the Brazilian star suffered yet another injury while playing for Al Hilal, prompting speculation among clubs about a potential signing.
Leila Pereira, president of Palmeiras in the Brazilian league, dismissed the idea of signing the former FC Barcelona and PSG player. While she praised Neymar during an interview with UOL Esporte, she also made a pointed remark about her expectations for players joining her team.
“Neymar will not join Palmeiras, this club isn’t a medical department. I want someone who will come to join immediately, who can play tomorrow if the manager wishes. I won’t accept us signing a player who’s unfit to play”, said Pereira, delivering a clear message about the club’s standards.
Since the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Neymar has only played 20 matches—11 of them in full—and has suffered five injuries in the two years since the tournament.
A Return to Brazil?
While Pereira ruled out Neymar joining Palmeiras, she hinted at the possibility of the Al Hilal player returning to Santos, the club where he began his professional career.
“He’s not coming [to Palmeiras]. But he’s a great player, okay? A great player,” Pereira remarked. “I don’t know if he will [return to Santos]; you’d have to ask them. But he wouldn’t come here,” she added.
Neymar has a rich history with Santos, having debuted in the 2008-2009 season. Over 225 matches with the club, he scored 130 goals and delivered 64 assists, which paved the way for his move to Barcelona.
Another potential destination for Neymar could be David Beckham’s Inter Miami, where he might reunite with his close friend Lionel Messi. Despite the player being spotted in Florida, the MLS salary cap could prove to be a significant hurdle in making this move a reality.
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