{"id":38803,"date":"2025-03-07T04:16:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T04:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=38803"},"modified":"2025-03-07T07:22:55","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T07:22:55","slug":"deco-says-neymar-unlikely-to-return-to-barcelona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/deco-says-neymar-unlikely-to-return-to-barcelona\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Now Is Not the Time’ – Barcelona Sporting Director Deco Dismisses Neymar Rumours"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barcelona sporting director Deco has dismissed reports linking Neymar with a fairytale return to the Catalonian capital, saying that “sometimes those stories don\u2019t repeat themselves.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

With incessant injuries forcing Al-Hilal to terminate his contract, Neymar returned to his boyhood club Santos in the winter transfer window. He has since been firing on all cylinders, scoring three goals and providing three assists in seven outings in Campeonato Paulista.<\/p>\n

His return to form has made way for speculations, with Cadena SER claiming the Brazilian is eager to prove his worth to Barcelona and secure a move back to the club. The 33-year-old’s deal with Santos expires on 30th June 2025.<\/p>\n

Barcelona Sporting Director Deco Rules Out Neymar Return<\/h2>\n

During Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League Round of 16<\/a> first leg, Deco addressed the growing speculation about Neymar. Here’s what the Portuguese had to say:<\/p>\n

“Neymar is a phenomenon, and the important thing is that he is happy. Being in Brazil makes him happy, and that is what he should focus on. For him, it\u2019s not so much about money anymore. I believe that if a situation were to arise in the future, it would have to be good for both us and for him.<\/em><\/p>\n

“A football team is built with balance and careful planning. Neymar was a phenomenon who played here, who won with Bar\u00e7a, but sometimes those stories don\u2019t repeat themselves<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

Deco hailed Neymar as a phenomenon and expressed his desire to see the former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player happy again. He, however, clarified that a return to Barca was highly improbable.<\/p>\n

\n

NEYMAR REALLY HIT AN OL\u00cdMPICO.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd2f\ud83e\udd2f\ud83e\udd2f<\/p>\n

(via @TNTSportsBR<\/a>)pic.twitter.com\/JRW5pAGDYT<\/a><\/p>\n

— B\/R Football (@brfootball) February 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n