Is Neymar returning to Barcelona in the summer? Discover the Brazilian's hidden plan

Neymar Jr.'s return to Santos in Brazil can be interpreted as a definitive step towards the twilight of the career of one of the best footballers in the world in the previous decade. However, the 32-year-old player, who has been plagued by injuries over the last five years, is not thinking about retirement just yet. On the contrary, the '10' has set in motion a hidden plan to make one last effort to return to Europe.

In this sense, the latest information indicates Ney's desire to wear the FC Barcelona jersey again in the 2025-26 season, as well as to compete in his last World Cup with Brazil in 2026. The player from Mogi das Cruzes will turn 33 next week, but he is confident in regaining his best physical form in what has always been his home, Santos, the club where he developed as a professional and where he made the leap to the elite in 2013, after winning practically everything as a figure of 'Peixe'.

Neymar suffered a torn ligament in October 2023 and, after a long recovery of more than a year, he got injured again last November after playing just 42 minutes in two matches of the Arab league with Al-Hilal. The Saudi club preferred to terminate his contract, understanding that the '10' was far from even regaining the competitive rhythm necessary to train normally.

Barça does not definitively close the door on Neymar's return

Beyond doubts about the Brazilian's physical condition, Barça will continue to monitor his progress in the coming months, as the player is still very much loved by the Blaugrana fans, despite his abrupt departure from the club in the summer of 2017 to Paris Saint-Germain. Deco himself admitted in a recent interview that his return "cannot be ruled out", although he acknowledged that the best thing for him at this moment is to return to Santos to fully recover.

Rumors about Ney's return to Barcelona are not new, but the situation in 2025 is very different for the club in every sense. Barça will finally be able to sign next summer without restrictions as they return to the 1:1 rule. Additionally, unlike other markets, the player from Mogi das Cruzes will not have a stratospheric salary involved in signing his contract, this last factor being decisive for the Catalans not to consider his return after leaving PSG.