Football
‘Now Is Not the Time’ – Barcelona Sporting Director Deco Dismisses Neymar Rumours
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Barcelona sporting director Deco has dismissed reports linking Neymar with a fairytale return to the Catalonian capital, saying that “sometimes those stories don’t repeat themselves.”
With incessant injuries forcing Al-Hilal to terminate his contract, Neymar returned to his boyhood club Santos in the winter transfer window. He has since been firing on all cylinders, scoring three goals and providing three assists in seven outings in Campeonato Paulista.
His return to form has made way for speculations, with Cadena SER claiming the Brazilian is eager to prove his worth to Barcelona and secure a move back to the club. The 33-year-old’s deal with Santos expires on 30th June 2025.
Barcelona Sporting Director Deco Rules Out Neymar Return
During Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg, Deco addressed the growing speculation about Neymar. Here’s what the Portuguese had to say:
“Neymar is a phenomenon, and the important thing is that he is happy. Being in Brazil makes him happy, and that is what he should focus on. For him, it’s not so much about money anymore. I believe that if a situation were to arise in the future, it would have to be good for both us and for him.
“A football team is built with balance and careful planning. Neymar was a phenomenon who played here, who won with Barça, but sometimes those stories don’t repeat themselves.”
Deco hailed Neymar as a phenomenon and expressed his desire to see the former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player happy again. He, however, clarified that a return to Barca was highly improbable.
NEYMAR REALLY HIT AN OLÍMPICO.
🤯🤯🤯
(via @TNTSportsBR)pic.twitter.com/JRW5pAGDYT
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 23, 2025
He concluded:
“Now is not the time for Barcelona to think about Neymar, nor for Neymar to think about that. He is at his club, Santos, which is the ideal place for him, and hopefully, he can return to the national team. He’s a phenomenon, and those of us who love football want to see him happy again.”
Neymar spent four seasons at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017. He played 186 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 105 goals and providing 76 assists. He won one UEFA Champions League trophy, two La Liga titles, and one FIFA Club World Cup with the Blaugrana, among other honours.