Palmeiras chief hits Neymar with brutal putdown & rules out move for superstar

Neymar will not be joining Palmeiras after the Brazilian club's president brutally mocked the former Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain superstar.

The 32-year-old has struggled with his fitness following his high-profile move to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal from France last summer.

Last October, Neymar tore his cruciate ligament while on international duty, sidelining him for the better part of a year. He then suffered a hamstring injury just two games before returning to full fitness.

That injury will keep him out for between four and six weeks, with the Saudi club reportedly looking to limit losses against the Brazilian.

As a result, Neymar has been linked with an emotional return to his boyhood club Santos, and the Brazilian club's strong rivals Palmeiras have since confirmed they will not compete for the 32-year-old's signature.

“Great player, but he is going to Santos,” Palmeiras club president Leila Pereira told UOL.

'I want to invest in someone who can come in straight away, who can start tomorrow if the coach decides.'

In a cheeky swipe at Neymar's injury situation, Pereira added: 'Palmeiras is not a medical department.

'I do not accept that a player signed by Palmeiras is not ready to play straight away.'

The same outlet previously reported that Al Hilal could part ways with Neymar as early as January, with the club facing growing doubts about the role he could play in the final six months of the season.

Neymar's £130million-a-year contract expires at the end of the season, and the Saudis are reportedly considering a mutual termination of his contract in January in a bid to take the burden off his wages, while giving manager Jorge Jesus more flexibility in his work. team.

Neymar is currently one of eight foreign players over the age of 21 in Al-Hilal's squad, putting the club at the limit of foreign imports under Saudi Pro League rules.

The remaining seven players have become key parts of the squad in Neymar's absence, leaving the Brazilian's future in doubt.

The star has also been tipped to reunite with his former teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at MLS side Inter Miami, with the trio forming a legendary attacking force during their time at Barcelona.

Despite paying PSG a fee of £78 million to sign Neymar in a landmark deal in 2023, and handing the star a lucrative contract, Al-Hilal has seen little return on his spending.

Injuries limited Neymar to just seven league appearances for the club, scoring one goal and providing three assists.

Al-Hilal have performed well without Neymar, with the club winning the Saudi Pro League title last season.

The team sit top of the table after eight wins and one draw from nine games so far this season, with Aleksandar Mitrovic being their top scorer with thirteen goals in all competitions.

Al-Hilal have also won the Super Cup and are involved in both the Asian Champions League and Kings Cup.

The club will also set its sights on the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of the campaign.