Neymar Praises Santos While Turning Down Corinthians Invite
During a recent poker event, Brazilian football star Neymar took time to celebrate his roots by praising Santos FC, the club where he started his career. The Al-Hilal forward attended the BSOP ONE Neymar Jr Edition poker tournament on December 22, 2024, and during the live stream, he held up a Santos jersey, calling it "the greatest team in the world." Neymar’s commitment to Santos was clear, especially after rejecting an invitation from a friend to join Corinthians alongside his poker endeavors.
"Guys, this here is the greatest team in the world—Santos. Forget it. It revealed the king and the prince. Has anyone done more than this citizen (Santos)? You have to respect it," Neymar expressed passionately about his former club. Despite being under contract with Al-Hilal until June 30, 2025, Neymar’s heart seems to remain tied to Santos after experiencing injuries and long absences from the pitch, having recently returned to action following knee and thigh injuries.
His love for Santos is evident through his attendance at several matches at Vila Belmiro, where fans have continuously called for his return. Neymar’s connections with the club have reportedly led to reconnecting discussions between him and Santos management, as he has attended matches over the past year showing his continued support.
Meanwhile, another transfer story is brewing concerning Santiago González, the Argentine winger for Sporting Cristal. With the season ending, Gonzalez, who emerged as one of the best players for his club, is now drawing interest from Brazilian teams including Fluminense, Gremio, and Bahia. Reports suggest Brazilian clubs are eager to secure his services as they prepare for the upcoming season. Gonzales’ outstanding performances last year make him highly sought after.
Asked whether González might leave, Peruvian sports media indicated no official offers have yet been tabled, but countries will likely approach Sporting Cristal shortly. The club intends to keep González for the first half of the season, especially since he signed until December 2026. Nevertheless, the interest is real as Brazilian teams look to bolster their squads for regional competitions like the Copa Sudamericana.
Another player sparking interest is Richard Ríos of Palmeiras, who has reportedly attracted attention from Fulham as he looks poised to join the Premier League. Ríos impressed throughout the 2024 season and was instrumental for Colombia’s national team at the Copa América. This newfound recognition appears to be translating to potential European opportunities.
Palmeiras seems to be orchestrate an exchange deal with Fulham, targeting Andreas Pereira as part of the transaction involving Ríos. With Ríos showing promise over the past seasons due to his versatility and strength as a defensive midfielder, Fulham aims for him to increase their standing within competitive rankings as they strive for European qualification.
Meanwhile, interest surrounding Vitor Roque has not slowed down, as Real Betis stands firmly with the young talent who is on loan. With Palmeiras persistently rumored to want to bring Roque back, Manuel Pellegrini, the Betis manager, publicly defended Roque, citing his work ethic and commitment during matches. Despite only six goals to his name this season, Pellegrini believes the player has significant potential for growth and contribution to the team.
Under contract with Betis, the likelihood of Roque moving back to Brazil remains low for the immediate transfer window, especially with the non-obligatory purchase option of €25 million. Palmeiras would need to come forth with more convincing offerings to attract Roque back to their squad, but for now, Betis appears to be ready to retain him.
All these stories reflect the volatility of the Brazilian football transfer market as clubs strategize on strengthening their rosters with promising talents. The fans are left watching closely, anticipating how negotiations will shape the upcoming season.
