Deco predicts Neymar's next move as Barcelona sporting director says Al-Hilal star is 'welcome at any club in the world'

Neymar's career has failed to reach the kind of peak that he was destined for during his time at Barcelona. The Brazilian is still widely considered a modern legend of the game but his career has been disrupted by a series of injuries in recent years. Indeed Neymar has only played seven games since swapping PSG for Al-Hilal in 2023.

Neymar's contract at Al-Hilal is set to expire at the end of the current season and the Saudi Pro League side are not keen on extending the 32-year-old's contract. As such, it has been rumoured that the Brazilian is considering a return to his boyhood club Santos in Brazilian Serie B. Neymar has also been loosely linked with a return to Barcelona over the years and the Catalan side's Brazilian sporting director Deco has now opened up on where Neymar could head upon the expiry of his current contract.

Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil, Deco said: "Neymar's return to Barca was always a long way off. Since he moved to Saudi Arabia, we knew he was a very expensive player, especially in terms of financial fair play.

When asked where Neymar could head after Al-Hilal, Deco added: "The most important thing is that Neymar returns to playing football. That will bring joy to himself and to others. Honestly, I don't know what he will do, but the most important thing is that he is happy."

Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus has said that Neymar will not be registered for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season and will only be able to play in the Asian Champions League, meaning a January exit may well be on the cards.