Neymar is reportedly in talks to join a huge European club in a controversial transfer that could spark anger from fans of his former side.
The former Barcelona winger is currently playing for his boyhood club Santos in Brazil but they have only won four of their opening 16 games this season and currently sit in the relegation zone.
Santos current situation has led to growing tensions between Neymar and the club supporters. After last week’s 2-1 defeat to Internacional, he was seen arguing with a fan in the stands, before he was dragged away by a teammate.
Neymar’s struggles in Brazil have fuelled speculation that the 33-year-old may be set to quit Santos and return to Europe.
According to TyC Sports, the favourites to sign him are Marseille, who are – of course – fierce rivals of Neymar’s former club PSG.
Neymar Jr. looks on during the Brasileirao 2025 match between Vitoria and Santos. (Photo by Alexandre Oliveira/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)
Marseille and PSG play each other in Le Classique, which is the biggest rivalry in French football between its two most successful clubs. PSG have been dominant in the past few years and Neymar’s move might spark a reaction from the fans.
Neymar left Barcelona in 2017 to join PSG for a world-record fee of €222 million (£192 million).
He spent six years in the French capital winning five Ligue 1 titles but he was unable to win the desired Champions League.
Neymar’s closest run to winning the Champions League with PSG was in 2020 when they were defeated in the final by Bayern Munich. The Brazilian injury problems at PSG also meant he regularly missed crucial knockout games.
Saudi side Al Hilal came calling in 2023 and Neymar left PSG for £77.6 million but it was a total disaster.
He suffered an ACL injury that curtailed the start of his career in the Saudi Pro League and he scored just one goal and secured three assists in seven appearances before having his contract terminated.
Neymar moved back to Brazil and was given a heroic reception at Santos. The Brazilian club recently extended his contract until the end of 2025 and it’s left to see if he’ll move to Marseille.
