Brazilian forward Neymar has extended his contract with Santos through the end of 2025. The deal also includes an option to extend his contract through the 2026 World Cup next summer, according to reports.
His contract at Santos was due to expire on June 30.
Neymar, 33, rejoined his boyhood club in January after terminating his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal by mutual consent six months early.
“I made a decision and I listened to my heart,” Neymar said in Santos’ statement. “Santos is not just my team, it’s my home, my roots, my history, and my life.
“Here, I was a boy who became a man, and I am truly loved. Here I can be myself, truly happy. And this is where I want to fulfill the dreams that are still missing in my career. And nothing will stop me.
“I go, I come back and I stay. Where it all began, where it’s never going to end.”
In the agreement, Santos agreed to pay a minimum of $15 million for all the new contracts from sponsors and earnings in investments generated by Neymar’s presence with the club, sources added.
Earlier this month, Neymar turned down an offer to play on loan at Brazilian club Fluminense in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Brazilian star had been struggling with injuries. He has played 12 matches in five months across all competitions for Santos, scoring only three goals.
However, Santos has gained from his signing with record-breaking social media growth and significant commercial gains for the club.
“It is a historic and remarkable day for Brazilian football, a gift for the Santos FC fans,” club president Marcelo Teixeira said as part of Tuesday’s announcement. “Our idol, our boy, the prince with our number 10 shirt, remains.
“It is a very important moment in this rebuilding process, and we needed Neymar, both on and off the field. The phrase ‘I go, I come back and I stay’ is emblematic and fundamental to the repositioning of Santos FC at its rightful level.”
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Neymar made his professional debut for Santos in 2009 and has made 243 appearances for the club, scoring 141 goals and providing 69 assists for the eight-time Brazilian Serie A champions.
Santos is in 15th position in the Brazilian league with 11 points after 12 matches in the current season.
