The record goalscorer of the Brazilian national team could be up for one final dance at the club where his career first kicked off.
Neymar has asked Santos FC president Marcelo Teixeira to keep the No.11 jersey free until he returns.
Teixeira, the club’s newly elected president, announced the retirement of the No. 10 jersey to protect Pelé’s legacy. It will remain that way while Santos is in the Brazilian second division. The club got relegated at the end of the 2023 Serie A campaign, finishing in 17th place with 43 points.
In response, Neymar reached out to Teixeira, who had previously stopped him from joining Real Madrid at the age of 13.
“On Sunday, Neymar called me and said, ‘President, since you have retired the number 10 jersey until we return to the first division, then do the same with the number 11 until I come back here,'” Teixeira told TV Santa Cecilia.
Neymar has a contract with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia until 2025. The 31-year-old joined the club last summer from French champions Paris Saint-Germain. He is currently recovering from a knee injury sustained in October during a match between Uruguay and Brazil. No return date has been set.
“We are waiting for Neymar’s return, who is our great star. His words have given us a lot of hope,” Teixeira added.
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