Brazilian football star Neymar's return to Santos following his brief and troubled stint in Saudi Arabia hasn't quite gone according to plan, but the forward remains optimistic about regaining his top form in the coming weeks.
After what can only be described as a disappointing spell at Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, where his presence was limited to just seven appearances due to knee ligament damage and subsequent muscle issues, Neymar has found himself back where his illustrious career began.
The 33-year-old's Saudi Arabian adventure came to an premature end when Al-Hilal opted to terminate his contract, making him a free agent. This unexpected turn of events led to an emotional homecoming at Santos, where he signed a six-month deal.
However, his return to familiar territory has yet to yield the desired results. In his three appearances for Santos so far, victory has proved elusive, with the team recording two draws and a defeat. His most recent appearance came in a challenging derby match against Corinthians.
Despite the slow start, Neymar remains confident about his progress. "Physically, I'm getting better and better. Today I felt better than in the last game, so it's little by little. I won't be able to get back into shape all of a sudden. But in two or three games, I'll be 100%," he told reporters following his latest appearance.
Looking ahead, Neymar's immediate focus appears to be on building his form and fitness with an eye on the 2026 World Cup, where he hopes to represent Brazil as the country's all-time leading goalscorer. However, his long-term club future remains uncertain, with speculation already linking him with a potential move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where he could reunite with former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.
