What Happened to Neymar da Silva Santos JĂșnior?
Neymar Jr. is a Brazilian professional footballer widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation. After a decorated career with Santos, FC Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain, he joined Saudi club Al-Hilal in August 2023. His stint there was cut short by a severe ACL injury, leading to his return to his boyhood club, Santos FC, in January 2025, where he continues to play while recovering from further knee issues and aiming for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Quick Answer
Neymar Jr. returned to his boyhood club, Santos FC, in January 2025 after a brief, injury-plagued spell with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. He extended his contract with Santos until December 2026 and played a crucial role in helping the club avoid relegation in late 2025 despite suffering a meniscus injury. Currently, as of March 2026, he is recovering from knee surgery and, despite expressing a strong desire to play in the 2026 World Cup, was recently left out of Brazil's squad for the March international friendlies due to ongoing fitness concerns.
đKey Facts
đ Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil
Neymar da Silva Santos JĂșnior was born in Mogi das Cruzes, SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil.
Professional Debut for Santos FC
Neymar made his professional debut for Santos FC at the age of 17, quickly establishing himself as a key player.
Wins Copa Libertadores with Santos
He led Santos to victory in the Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious South American club competition, and won the FIFA PuskĂĄs Award for Goal of the Year.
Transfers to FC Barcelona
Neymar signed a five-year contract with FC Barcelona for âŹ57 million, joining Lionel Messi and Luis SuĂĄrez to form the 'MSN' trio.
Wins UEFA Champions League with Barcelona
He helped Barcelona achieve a treble, including the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League titles.
Leads Brazil to Olympic Gold Medal
Neymar captained the Brazilian national team to their first-ever Olympic gold medal in men's football at the Rio de Janeiro Games.
Record-breaking Transfer to Paris Saint-Germain
He moved to Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record transfer fee of âŹ222 million, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles.
Joins Saudi Club Al-Hilal
Neymar transferred to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League for âŹ90 million, signing a lucrative two-year contract.
Becomes Brazil's All-Time Top Scorer
Neymar surpassed Pelé's long-standing record to become Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches.
Suffers ACL and Meniscus Injury
He sustained a severe ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus tear in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, sidelining him for an extended period.
Returns to Santos FC
After his injury-hit spell in Saudi Arabia, Neymar returned to his boyhood club, Santos FC.
Undergoes Meniscus Surgery
After playing through a meniscus injury to help Santos avoid relegation, Neymar underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
Renews Contract with Santos until December 2026
Neymar extended his contract with Santos FC until the end of 2026, reaffirming his commitment to the club and his goal of playing in the 2026 World Cup.
Left Out of Brazil's March 2026 Squad
Despite his World Cup aspirations, Neymar was excluded from Brazil's squad for the March international friendlies by coach Carlo Ancelotti due to ongoing fitness concerns and recent muscle strain.
đDeep Dive Analysis
Neymar da Silva Santos JĂșnior, born on February 5, 1992, rose to prominence at Santos FC in Brazil, making his professional debut in 2009. He quickly became a sensation, leading Santos to the Copa Libertadores title in 2011 and earning the South American Footballer of the Year award twice.
In 2013, Neymar made a high-profile transfer to FC Barcelona for âŹ57 million, forming the formidable 'MSN' attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis SuĂĄrez. During his time in Spain, he won numerous titles, including the UEFA Champions League in the 2014-15 season. He also captained Brazil to their first Olympic gold medal in men's football at the Rio 2016 Games.
His career took another significant turn in 2017 when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a world-record fee of âŹ222 million. At PSG, Neymar secured four Ligue 1 titles and helped the club reach its first-ever Champions League final in 2020. However, his tenure in Paris was also marked by recurring injuries.
In August 2023, Neymar made a high-profile transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal for a reported âŹ90 million, signing a two-year contract worth up to $400 million with commercial deals. His time in Saudi Arabia was short-lived and severely impacted by injury; he played only seven matches before suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus tear in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier for Brazil in October 2023. In September 2023, he surpassed PelĂ© to become Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals.
Neymar returned to Santos FC in January 2025, where he renewed his contract until December 2026. Despite ongoing injury struggles, including a meniscus injury in November 2025, he played through pain in the final five rounds of the BrasileirĂŁo, scoring five crucial goals to help Santos avoid relegation. He underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in December 2025 to address the meniscus issue.
As of March 2026, Neymar is actively undergoing rehabilitation at Santos, with his sights set on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, his path to the national team remains uncertain. Despite being included in preliminary lists, Brazil's coach Carlo Ancelotti opted to exclude him from the squad for the March 2026 international friendlies against France and Croatia, citing fitness concerns and a recent muscle strain. Neymar himself has acknowledged that his return to the national team is not entirely in his control, but he remains committed to supporting Brazil.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Neymar da Silva Santos JĂșnior made different choices?