Neymar Decides To Stay With Santos First, There Is An Extension Option Until The 2026 World Cup

Neymar stays at Santos until the end of 2025 (Instagram/@neymarjr).

JAKARTA - Neymar has signed a contract extension with Santos until the end of 2025.

Neymar's previous contract at Santos will expire on June 30, 2025. According to ESPN, the deal includes the option to extend his contract until the 2026 World Cup next summer.

The 33-year-old rejoined his boyhood club in January 2025 after ending his contract at Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, with mutual approval.

"I have made decisions and listened to my heart. Santos is not just my team, this is my home, my origin, my history, and my life."

"Here, I am a boy who grew up to be an adult man. I am truly loved."

"Here, I can be myself, really happy. Here, I want to realize the dreams that are still missing in my career. Nothing will stop me."

"I left, I came back, and I lived. Where everything started, in a place that would never end," Neymar said on Santos' official website.

The new deal includes additional contracts between Santos and NR Sports for the use of Neymar's image.

In the agreement, Santos agreed to pay a minimum of 15 million US dollars for all new contracts from sponsors and profits in investments generated by Neymar's presence at the club.

Earlier this month, Neymar turned down an offer to play on loan at another Brazilian club, Fluminense, in the 2025 Club World Cup. The former Barcelona star wants to focus on getting his full fitness back.

Neymar spent most of his time in Saudi Arabia due to an ACL injury he suffered while serving internationally with Brazil in October 2023.

Repeated muscle injury has limited Neymar by scoring only three goals and three assists in 15 games for Santos this year.

This situation also made him unable to return to the Brazilian National Team which he had been waiting for for a long time.

However, Neymar's recruitment has paid off in other ways for Santos. President Santos, Marcelo Teixeira, said that Neymar's return to the Belmiro Villa had resulted in record-breaking social media growth and significant commercial benefits for the club.

"This is a historic and extraordinary day for Brazilian football, a gift for fans of Santos FC."

"Our Idola, our son, the prince with our number 10 shirt, is still there. This is a very important moment in this rebuilding process."

"We need Neymar, both on and off the pitch. The phrase 'I am leaving, I am back, and I survive' is the symbol and basis for Santos FC's reposition at the appropriate level," Teixeira said in announcing the extension of Neymar's tenure.

Although not at his best, Neymar's father and agent, Neymar Sr., recently said that his son still has an appeal, especially for European clubs that will compete in the Champions League next season.

"We have started a very good partnership and look forward to continuing for a long time," said Neymar's father.

Neymar, who is Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals, hopes to play in its fourth World Cup next year.

However, the new coach of Team Samba, Carlo Ancelotti, has yet to call him for the 2026 World Cup Qualification match.

Meanwhile, Brazil's Serie A was suspended on June 12, 2025, but will resume after the 2025 Club World Cup.

Santos, who returned to the main league this year, is in 15th place in the standings with three wins in 12 games.