Neymar under the radar of two Calcio giants: a winter move sparks a new chapter

Transfer whispers around Neymar

An Italian report on Tuesday indicated that Brazilian superstar Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, the well-known pathfinder from Santos, Barcelona, and PSG, is edging toward a return to one of Europe’s top leagues.

With Neymar’s contract at Santos due to expire in December, the 33-year-old would be free to negotiate with clubs of interest.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Napoli and Inter Milan are weighing a winter swoop as they study a potential deal.

Back to form and the road to 2026

Neymar hopes to recapture his peak level before the season finishes so he can be ready for Brazil ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The forward has not worn the Brazil shirt since October 2023 after injuries sidelined him for much of the past two years.

He remains Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances.

Ancelotti’s push

Italy’s Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar remains in his plans but he must regain full physical condition before returning to the squad as Brazil eyes another run at the World Cup.

Neymar’s last Brazil appearance was in October 2023 due to a knee ligament injury in a match against Uruguay.

International career

During his time at Santos after returning in 2025, he faced recurring injuries that limited his appearances and affected his form.

Since his return, Neymar played 21 matches for Santos and scored 6 goals, but injuries prevented him from reclaiming his peak level. The years with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia were short and not as fruitful as hoped, prompting a return to Brazil to reignite his passion at Santos.

Internationally, injuries also affected his national team status; he has been absent for almost two years, with a new generation of attackers emerging in Brazil led by Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo. Yet Neymar remains one of Brazil’s most gifted players, and a successful comeback would be a major trophy in itself. On the long horizon, a return to the Brazil squad ahead of 2026 is plausible if fitness and form align, with Santos serving as a platform to rebuild his legacy at the club where it all began.

Before the Santos spell, Neymar had joined Al Hilal in 2023, but a serious ligament injury kept him to a handful of appearances and a single goal, casting a shadow over a high-profile move. His Saudi chapter ended after a short, challenging stint, feeding the decision to return home to the club where his career originated.

Punchline 1: If Neymar’s comeback is a weapon, defenses should surrender immediately—call it a sniper shot to the back of the net.

Punchline 2: If football were a treasure map, Neymar would beat the X and still lift the trophy before the alarm rings.