Brazilian Neymar returned to his boyhood club Santos on Friday, with only a few months left on his contract, amid questions about his future, after hinting that he will not wear the Brazil national team shirt again following the early exit from the 2026 World Cup. Neymar, who has suffered a series of injuries, was called up to the Brazil squad for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, after an absence of nearly three years from the national team. He played only 37 minutes spread over two matches, and his only goal, from a penalty, was not enough to avoid Brazil's 1-2 loss to Norway in the round of 16. A video created using artificial intelligence circulated on social media, showing a young Neymar asking his current self to strive for Brazil's sixth World Cup title in 2030. The all-time top scorer of the Brazilian national team, with 80 goals in 130 international matches, interacted with the video, merely posting three laughing-crying emojis. The forward returned to Santos in January 2025 from Saudi club Al Hilal, with his current contract ending next December. After undergoing surgery on his left knee late last year, Neymar has only played in eight of Santos' 19 matches in the Brazilian league this season. Despite his limited appearances, he scored four goals and provided two assists, offering glimpses of the level he was known for during his spells with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. A source at Santos revealed that the decision to renew Neymar's contract will be largely influenced by the results of the club's board elections scheduled for next December, while current president Marcelo Teixeira, who oversaw the player's return, has not announced whether he will run for a new term. Media reports indicated that Neymar is considering continuing his career in the American league, and that negotiations took place with Cincinnati, but they did not result in an agreement.