Palmeiras president Leila Pereira made it clear that Neymar will not be returning to Brazilian football with her club. In a recent interview with UOL, Pereira acknowledged the quality of the forward but emphasized that the player's ongoing physical issues exclude him from the team’s plans. "Great player, but he's going to Santos. I don't know, you should ask Santos, but not here, he wouldn't come," Pereira said firmly.

The club’s management, currently in second place in the Brasileirao, made a pointed remark about their priorities when it comes to signings. "I want to invest in someone who can come in right away, someone who could play tomorrow if the coach decides so. Palmeiras is not a medical department. I won’t accept signing a player who can’t play immediately," Pereira declared, subtly referencing Neymar’s injury history as a key reason for the rejection.

The Brazilian star, currently at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, has had a tough 2024. After recovering from a torn ACL that kept him off the field for over a year, a thigh issue has put him back on the sidelines. According to Transfermarkt, Neymar has been out for 41 days and has only played two games this season, logging just 42 minutes on the field.

Although rumors about a potential return for Neymar to Brazilian football have increased, Pereira's stance shows that not all teams are willing to take the risk of signing him. With Santos as a possible destination, the forward’s future remains uncertain, especially as he continues to battle his physical problems and prove he can still shine at the highest level of football.