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Neymar's career trajectory has taken unexpected turns since his golden days at Barcelona, with injuries significantly impacting his playing time. The Brazilian superstar, who made a high-profile move to Al-Hilal in 2023, has only managed to appear in seven matches for the Saudi Pro League club, highlighting the ongoing challenges in his career despite his legendary status in modern football.
As his contract with Al-Hilal approaches its conclusion at the end of the current season, speculation about his future has begun to mount. The Saudi club has shown little interest in extending the 32-year-old's contract, leading to rumors of a potential return to his boyhood club Santos, currently playing in Brazilian Serie B.
Barcelona's sporting director Deco, addressing the situation in a conversation with TNT Sports Brazil, dismissed speculation about Neymar's return to the Catalan giants. "Neymar's return to Barca was always a long way off. Since he moved to Saudi Arabia, we knew he was a very expensive player, especially in terms of financial fair play," Deco explained.
When questioned about Neymar's potential next destination, Deco emphasized the importance of the player's well-being and return to active football. "The most important thing is that Neymar returns to playing football. That will bring joy to himself and to others. Honestly, I don't know what he will do, but the most important thing is that he is happy," he stated.
The situation at Al-Hilal appears increasingly complex, with manager Jorge Jesus confirming that Neymar won't be registered for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season. The Brazilian's participation will be limited to Asian Champions League matches, suggesting a potential January departure could be in the works.
