Neymar signs for six more months with Santos with an eye on World cup
Neymar on Tuesday extended his contract with Brazilian club Santos until the end of 2025, as he attempts to recapture his form in time for next year's World Cup.
"I made a decision and I followed my heart. Santos is not just my team, it's my home, my roots, my history, and my life," the 33-year-old forward said in a statement from the club.
Advertisement
Neymar started his career at Santos before moving to Barcelona and then Paris Saint-Germain. After an injury-hit spell in Saudi Arabia, he returned to Santos in January on a contract that was due to expire on June 30.
The injury problems that restricted him to just seven matches in 17 months at Al-Hilal persisted.
He has played 12 matches in five months across all competitions for Santos, scoring three goals. In his last appearance in the domestic league, he was sent off for a second yellow card after scoring with his hand against Botafogo.
After 12 matches in this season's Brazilian championship, Santos are only clear of the relegation places on goal difference.
Advertisement
Since his return to Brazil, Neymar has drawn criticism for partying at the Rio Carnival and for appearing in the gimmicky seven-a-side Kings League while nursing injuries.
Neymar is the Brazil national team's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, two more than another Santos product, Pele, but his quest for a World Cup winner's medal has repeatedly ended in disappointment.
Neymar was recalled to the Brazil squad in March for two World Cup qualifiers, but withdrew with a thigh injury.
In May, new coach Carlo Ancelotti left Neymar out of his first squad.
"I selected players who are in good shape. Neymar has just returned from injury, everyone knows he's a very important player and we're obviously counting on him," said Ancelotti.
erc-lg/esp/cb/pb/rcw
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hansi Flick reacts to Manchester United interest in Barcelona star
Barcelona need to make sales to continue generating funds that will help them to return to La Liga's 1:1 rule by the end of the summer, although it has been difficult to move on the likes of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Andreas Christensen. Other players are noted as possible departees, with one of them being Fermin Lopez. The arrival of Marcus Rashford, which will see Raphinha used more centrally next season, means that Fermin is likely to see less action, given that he also has Dani Olmo ahead of him in the pecking order. This has led to suggestions that Barcelona could entertain offers for Fermin, with a minimum asking price of €70m having been set. And according to recent reports, Manchester United are prepared to pay this for the 22-year-old. Image via Josep Lago/AFP Hansi Flick puts his foot down amid Man United interest But despite this, it would be a surprise to see Fermin leave Barcelona this summer. As reported by MD, head coach Hansi Flick has made it clear that he wants the young midfielder to remain at the club. The report has also stated that Flick was made aware of previous reports of Fermin's possible departure, at which point he made it clear to the player himself that he wants him to stay. And it was during this meeting that the Man United target admitted that he has no plans nor desire to depart. Fermin has been very impressive since breaking into the Barcelona first team two summers ago, and given his age, he is one of several players that will be trusted to lead the squad for many years to come. It is no surprise that Flick wants him to stay, even if there is a chance that he does not play all too often during the upcoming 2025-26 season.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 71: Neil Magny vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos odds, picks and predictions
In a 3-round welterweight bout on the main card, Neil Magny and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos meet Saturday at UFC on ESPN 71 -- also known as UFC Vegas 108 -- at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The prelims begin at 6 p.m. ET (ESPN / ESPN+) with the main card at 9 p.m. (ESPN / ESPN+). Their fight is expected to start at approximately 9:45 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's UFC odds around the UFC on ESPN 71: Magny vs. Dos Santos odds, and make our expert UFC picks and predictions. Records: Magny (29-14-0) | Dos Santos (25-9-1) The 37-year-old veteran, a.k.a. "The Haitian Sensation", might be in the twilight of his career. He has lost 2 straight fights via Round 1 KO/TKO, and he has dropped 3 of the past 4 bouts, and 5 of the past 8 fights since June 2022. His last victory was a Round 3 KO/TKO at UFC 297 against Mike Malott. He has ended up going the distance just twice in the past 8 fights, with 3 KO/TKOs, going 1-2 in those bouts, while 3 fights finished via submission, also going 1-2 in those fights. For Zaleski dos Santos, he has also dropped 2 of his past 3 bouts, with a Round 2 KO/TKO against Chidi Njokuani last time out. His most recent win was a Round 1 KO/TKO against Zach Scroggin. While he has finished inside the past 2 fights, he went the distance in 6 prior bouts. Magny has a 7-inch reach advantage over Zaleski dos Santos, which is quite the disparity. Zaleski dos Santos has managed 4.26 significant strikes landed per minute, to just 3.43 for the veteran Magny. However, Magny is much more accurate at 59.02% on those strikes, to just 44.44% for the Brazilian fighter. Magny also has a 2.12 takedown average, to just 0.75, while posting a 38.56% takedown average. Zaleski dos Santos does have a slight 0.45-to-0.25 submission average advantage. Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here. UFC on ESPN 71: Magny vs. Zaleski dos Santos odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET. UFC on ESPN 71: Magny vs. Zaleski dos Santos picks and predictions Fight result (2-way line or moneyline) MAGNY (+135) is worth a roll of the dice as a moderate underdog, mainly due to that enormous 7-inch reach advantage. Such a huge reach advantage cannot be discounted, as the fighter with the much shorter reach cannot get close enough to score big blows. In addition, while Magny has been knocked out in the past 2 fights, he is a desperate veteran in need of a win. In 43 career pro bouts across all competitions, he has never lost 3 straight bouts, too. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! Over/Under NO (+110): WILL FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is worth a look at plus-money. Magny has finished inside the distance in 3 straight fights, and 6 of the past 8 bouts. For Zaleski dos Santos, he has had 2 straight fights finish inside the distance after a 6-bout run going all the way. In addition, the past 2 fights for Zaleski dos Santos have ended via KO/TKO while Magny has ended up with 3 consecutive knockouts. In fact, if you want to simply bet the method of victory, without declaring a winner, taking KO/TKO/DQ (+175) is worth a look for the chance to nearly double up. Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ESPN 71
Elves Brener and Esteban Ribovics meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 71 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 2-3 UFC main cards, 2025: 72-56-1 Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics UFC on ESPN 71 preview Brener (16-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) will look to right the ship after dropping back-to-back fights: a unanimous decision to Myktybek Orolbai and a third-round TKO loss to Joel Alvarez. Prior to his recent skid, Brener won five straight. That stretch included four finishes and his first three UFC victories. ... Ribovics (14-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) enters on the heels of a split decision loss to Nasrat Haqparast in March. After dropping his UFC debut, Ribovics won three straight UFC bouts, including a 37-second stoppage of Terrance McKinney. Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics UFC on ESPN 71 expert pick, prediction Serving as a solid action fight at 155 pounds is a battle between Esteban Ribovics and Elves Brenner. Although this fight would be better served in front of a live crowd (as booking Ribovics in back-to-back UFC Apex fights after giving us 2024's Fight of the Year feels incredibly disrespectful), it should be wild while it lasts. Brenner is your classic Brazilian brawler who hails from the legendary Chute Boxe camp, while Ribovics brings the high-paced boxing and body work that both hardcore and casual fans pop for. I'll be curious if Brenner looks to utilize his underrated wrestling in the smaller octagon, but Ribovics appears to be a slippery and scrambly fighter to boot. Even though a better version of Brenner wouldn't shock me, I'll side with Ribovics' durability and pace to produce a finish in Round 3. Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics UFC on ESPN 71 odds The oddsmakers and the public favor the Argentinian fighter, listing Ribovics (-265) and Brenner (+210) via FanDuel. Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics UFC on ESPN 71 start time, how to watch Brener and Ribovics are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 10:40 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts live on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
