Is it over for Neymar? Santos inform star's father of contract decision as talk of possible Lionel Messi reunion at Inter Miami gains steam

According to Globo, Neymar Sr had established contact with Santos to discuss a potential six-month contract extension, since his son's tenure at the Serie A club comes to a close at the end of this year. However, the Brazilian outfit have not shown interest in extending his contract. The player, too, has a similar stance, as he has fallen out of the pecking order in the Brazil national team ever since Carlo Ancelotti took over the reins from Dorival Junior. Since joining in June, Ancelotti is yet to call Neymar to the national camp, and has bestowed his faith on other potential candidates in his position. 

Since 2023, Neymar has been plagued by injuries since his days at Paris Saint-Germain. His lucrative transfer to Al-Hilal did not make the situation any better, as months after joining the club, the 33-year-old succumbed to a cruciate ligament tear, which kept him out for almost a year. Soon after recovery, he again surfaced with a hamstring injury, finally leaving the club in January this year to return to his boyhood club Santos. But the hamstring issue seems to be recurring frequently, forcing him to miss numerous matches, not only for the club but for country as well. Ancelotti said of him this month: "Neymar can play at his highest level in this team without any problems. When he is in good physical condition, he has the quality to play not only in Brazil but in any team in the world because of his talent."

Although there haven't been any prominent decisions taken by the player's entourage, recent reports have claimed his reunion with ex-Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami in MLS. Inter Miami believe they will be able to afford him due to Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba's retirement, creating room for Neymar's inclusion as a Designated Player alongside Messi and probably Rodrigo De Paul. 

Neymar's contract ends on December 31, and until that date, he remains a part of Santos. His latest hamstring injury on September 19 has already sidelined him for over a month, and his date of return is yet to be known. However, if he recovers soon, fans can expect him to feature against Fortalexa on November 3, which is Santos' next game after a short break.