Neymar Jr. is back and, with him, the rumors about his future. One of the best soccer players of this generation who, after leaving Barcelona for Paris and ending up in Saudi Arabia, is looking to finish his career in the best possible way. Physical problems and his decisions have deprived us of seeing this player for longer at his best level, but he still has one last chance to say goodbye in style.
He has been injured for more than a year, being practically unpublished in his current club, but as soon as he returns, there is talk of a departure. He is under contract until 2025, so he could leave for free in the summer after an eventful spell at Al Hilal.
A footballer whose game depends on his smile and that joy has long since been seen on the pitch. For this reason, he is looking for a destination where he can be happy again, where he can enjoy his passion again. His options are mainly two and do not depend so much on sporting issues, but rather on emotional ones.
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Go back to where you were happy
Blonde crest, a patch on the nose and the ability to leave all rivals behind. That’s what Neymar was like at Santos. As practically a child, he made his opponents look like amateurs, with a superiority that soon reached Europe. It was his beginnings and the images that reached Spain were those of an unparalleled talent that could mark an era. That was the first ‘Ney’, with a self-confidence and insolence that made the young Brazilian shine in the black and white shirt.
Now, more than a decade later, he has the chance to return to the place where he grew up. Santos are back in Brazil’s top flight and the player has expressed his joy on social media: “We’re back where we should never have left,” the Brazilian wrote on Instagram.
Neymar arrives in June. That’s the conversation we’re having
From Peixe, far from denying the rumors, they are fueling them even more. The vice-president of the board was very blunt when talking about Neymar: “He arrives in June. That is the conversation we are having,” he said. In addition, as if that were not enough, the former PSG player made a video call with Santos’ forward in a press conference to celebrate the promotion, adding more links that relate him to the Brazilian team.
The coach himself has spoken about it, saying that “it would be great to have him” and that they have that ambition: “It’s a dream, but let’s dream,” he said. It would certainly not be a move motivated by money, but to return to the team of his dreams, to wear again the shirt with which he made a name for himself in the world of football. To close the circle where it all began.
Go back to who you were happy with
The other option is to land in an unfamiliar place, but with ‘old friends’. Where the best Neymar was seen was in Barcelona, forming a dream trident with Messi and Suarez. A relationship that went beyond the pitch. A Uruguayan, a Brazilian and an Argentine completely inseparable and who transferred their good relationship to the game. He was also happy there, until he decided to leave for Paris. Now, many years later, he could be reunited with them in the United States.
Inter Miami already has, in addition to Luis and Leo, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, forming a team very similar to the one that won the Champions League in 2015 with Luis Enrique. Neymar would be the missing piece, although MLS rules make the signing difficult. The salary cap is quite strict, except for three ‘franchise’ players, but those places are already occupied at the American club. However, Tata Martino is already speaking in press conferences asking for flexibility to make this signing possible: “Already having Leo and the rest of the boys, anything can happen. What I can’t imagine is if the league doesn’t relax the salary issue, I don’t know how it would be carried out… The rules are strict and can’t be broken unless MLS decides to change them.”
This speculation comes not only from Neymar’s relationship with the rest of the players, but also because the player has already bought land in Miami for $26 million.
In any case, Neymar’s future seems far from Saudi Arabia and the destinations that have appeared speak of the player’s need to regain his smile. It is in his hands to decide whether to prioritize the place or the people, but wherever it is, it would be a real privilege to see one of the best footballers in history happy again on the pitch and putting the finishing touch to a career that was not always as good as expected.
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