Ouch, that hurts more than ACL tear! Brazilian club president’s brutal comment on signing Neymar from Al-Hilal- The Week

Brazilian superstar Neymar’s future in Saudi Arabia remains doubtful in light of his latest injury setback. Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal is said to be probing ways to end Neymar’s time with them as the attacker remains almost always unavailable due to fitness concerns.

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The 32-year-old Champions League winner has played only seven games for Al-Hilal since moving from Paris St Germain for a reported fee of around 90 million euros ($98 million) in August 2023. Neymar suffered another ACL issue in November, just two weeks after returning from a year-long absence due to a knee injury. It is in this circumstance that the Saudi champions are reportedly trying to get rid of the highly-paid superstar.

Neymar to leave Al-Hilal for Santos?

Meanwhile, multiple reports have claimed that Neymar may not find a proper bidder in Europe or Asia and may make a return to his home turf in Brazil. Neymar began his professional career as a wonderkid with Brazilian side Santos before Barcelona came knocking. Reports claimed that Santos, who are currently in the second division, may make a proper bid to bring Neymar home.

Meanwhile, Leila Pereira, club president of Palmeiras, a Brazilian football powerhouse, made a shocking statement when asked about the superstar’s future. When asked if her club would bid for Neymar in case he makes a return to his home soil, Pereira said Palmeiras would never sign somebody like him. She went on to add Palmeiras,  is not a “medical department” but a football club.

“…he’s going to Santos. I don’t know, you have to ask Santos, but not here, he wouldn’t come. I want to invest in someone who can come in immediately, who can start tomorrow if the coach decides. Palmeiras is not a medical department. I do not accept that a player signed by Palmeiras is not ready to play immediately,”  the Palmeiras president reportedly said while Speaking to UOL.

Palemieras are currently second in Brazil’s top-tier Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, four points below leaders Botafago. Santos lead Mirassol by four points in Serie B with a game in hand.