According to reports from journalist Victor Navarro, Barcelona recently had the opportunity to re-sign Neymar Jr. However, the Brazilian forward appears to be heading back to his home country. Struggling with recent injuries, Neymar is focused on regaining his form in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Neymar started his professional career at Santos before moving to Barcelona in 2013 for a reported €88 million. During his four-year stint with the Catalan club, he made 186 appearances, scoring 105 goals and providing 76 assists. He played a key role in helping the team secure two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies, and one UEFA Champions League, among other accolades.
Navarro shared on social media platform X:
“Neymar is currently preparing to return to Brazil. He’s coming home. Interestingly, he was offered to Barcelona in recent weeks. Neymar wants to play regularly, rejoin the national team, prepare for the 2026 World Cup, and make headlines again this summer.”
Neymar departed Barcelona in 2017 for a world-record transfer fee of €222 million to join Paris Saint-Germain. In 2023, he moved to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia for €90 million and is under contract until the summer of 2025.
Barcelona’s Sporting Director Shares Thoughts on Neymar
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, recently commented on Neymar’s situation. The Brazilian has faced persistent injury issues, limiting him to just 428 minutes across seven matches for Al-Hilal since his arrival in 2023.
The 32-year-old has missed 70 games due to injuries since 2023 and is expected to leave Saudi Arabia soon. While there were rumors of a potential return to Barcelona, Deco clarified that such a move was unlikely. Speaking to TNT Sport (via GOAL), he said:
“Neymar’s return to Barcelona was never a realistic option. After his move to Saudi Arabia, we knew his financial demands would be too high, especially considering financial fair play regulations.”
Deco also expressed his hope for Neymar’s return to the field, stating:
“The most important thing is for Neymar to get back to playing football. That will bring happiness to him and his fans. I’m not sure what his next steps will be, but his happiness and well-being are what matter most.”
Neymar’s current manager at Al-Hilal, Jorge Jesus, recently confirmed that the forward will not be registered for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season. However, he could still feature in the Asian Champions League if he remains with the club beyond January.
