Neymar's Pricey Homecoming: Santos Pays the Price

Neymar's much-anticipated return to Santos in early 2025 has turned into a costly endeavor with limited on-field success. As reported by Extra, the Brazilian club is set to pay R$ 105 million over five months for the star forward, amounting to approximately R$ 133,000 per minute played.

Throughout this stint, Neymar appeared in 14 matches, totaling 785 minutes and scoring just three goals. His final game—a 1-0 loss to Botafogo—ended with his expulsion for attempting to score with his hand, potentially marking his last appearance for the club.

With a monthly salary of R$ 21 million, Neymar's earnings constitute 25% of Santos' projected annual budget for 2025. This substantial investment, aimed at boosting both performance and commercial appeal, failed to yield significant improvements on the pitch.

The scenario raises questions about the viability of high-profile signings for clubs with constrained finances. While Neymar's return initially sparked excitement among fans, the limited impact and financial strain have led to a reassessment of such strategies within Santos' management and supporter base.