AS: World Cup ambition could see Neymar return to Barcelona

The Brazilian is currently back at Santos but will become a free agent as of June 30.

Despite having just returned to his boyhood club of Santos FC, speculation is already growing as to what Neymar’s next footballing destination will be.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, there is an outside chance that the 33-year-old could return to FC Barcelona next summer.

Neymar will become a free agent on June 30 and apparently there is also a mechanism in place that could even allow him to leave earlier and play for a team competing in the FIFA Club World Cup  which starts in the United states mid-June. Everything will depend on his physical and technical condition but the early signs look good but time will tell how he fares in the coming weeks and months.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Neymar’s agent Pini Zahavi maintain an excellent relationship with Zahavi also looking after affairs for Barça coach Hansi Flick.

Neymar’s big motivation will be to feature for the Brazilian national side at the 2026 World Cup and playing for Barcelona at the renovated Camp Nou is a powerful attraction for the striker who is anxious to return to the global limelight after a wretched injury hampered spell with Al Hilal in Riyadh. A long shot for sure but one that is not totally out of the question.