Palmeiras President Rules Out Neymar Signing Due to Health Concerns
Leila Pereira, the president of Palmeiras, has firmly stated that the club will not pursue a signing for Brazilian international Neymar, currently with Al Hilal, citing the player's ongoing health issues and injuries. Pereira emphasized that Palmeiras is not a 'medical clinic' and expressed her desire for players who are ready to contribute immediately to the team. In her comments shared on the Brazilian platform 'FIFA Sport' via social media, she remarked, "Neymar will not play with Palmeiras. I want players who are ready to play tomorrow if the coach asks for it. We will not sign a player who is unable to go on the field."
Despite acknowledging Neymar's talent, Pereira indicated that the forward is likely to return to Santos, stating, "I don't know, you have to ask Santos, but he will not come here. I want to invest in someone who can integrate immediately, a ready-made player."
Neymar's Injury Struggles and Future Prospects
Neymar's recent stint at Al Hilal has been marred by injuries. Since joining the Saudi club in the summer of 2023, he has only participated in seven matches, scoring one goal and providing three assists. His current health issues include a cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for over a year and a recent hamstring injury sustained during a match against Iran's Esteghlal, which is expected to keep him out for an additional month to six weeks.
As speculation continues about Neymar's future, reports suggest that Santos is interested in bringing him back after his contract with Al Hilal expires in the summer of 2025. However, negotiations will hinge on the potential termination of Neymar's lucrative contract with Al Hilal, which is complicated by his status as a high-profile player in the marketing realm. While Santos has not made an official offer yet, they are reportedly preparing a substantial financial package to entice Neymar back to his former club.
