Santos transfer is Pele’s ‘command’, striker says in emotional video on return

Brazil striker Neymar has pledged to “honour” Pele’s “sacred” number 10 shirt in a dramatic video confirming his return to boyhood club Santos.

In a clip showing a throne left for Pele at the club’s home stadium, Neymar tells fans that “the prince is back” as the 32-year-old shares footage of his first spell with the Brazilian giants, where he came through the youth ranks before winning the top flight three times and South American competition the Copa Libertadores once between 2009 and 2013.

“I was a little boy when I arrived here, full of dreams,” Neymar says, marking his comeback almost 12 years after leaving for Barcelona.

“[Santos’ stadium] Villa Bilmero took me in, and that’s where I grew up and was happy. Santos revealed me to the world, but my heart never stopped being black and white.

“I remember everything I experienced with you all, every moment a vivid and happy eternal memory. A memory I don’t just want to remember, I want to live it again. And I want to live with you again, as it always was.”

Neymar transfer: Striker calls Pele ‘king’

Neymar left Al-Hilal by mutual consent on Tuesday, having barely featured since signing for the Saudi Pro League side who paid Paris Saint-Germain a reported fee of around £75 million for him in August 2023.

The former Ballon d’Or nominee spent almost a year out with a knee injury from that October and struggled to regain fitness, although he hopes to play for Brazil at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.

“King Pele, your wish is my command,” added Neymar in the film. “The throne and the crown, they are still yours because you are eternal.

“But the number 10, it will be an honour to wear the sacred jersey that represents so much for Santos and the world. I promise to do everything I can to honour your legacy, king.”

Three-time World Cup and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Pele spent almost his entire career with Santos, representing them between 1956 and 1974.

Pele’s funeral in 2023 was held at Sao Paulo’s Estadio Urbano Caldeira, which Santos use for bigger games because of its increased capacity.

Neymar salary, wages, contract

Neymar has reportedly signed a six-month contract with Santos and taken a huge pay cut on wages said to have been worth £125m a year with Al-Hilal.

The Champions League winner with Barca in 2015 is used to earning astronomical wages and remains the world’s most expensive player courtesy of the £200m fee PSG paid the Spanish club for him in 2017.