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Neymar back to Barcelona: Is that a good idea?

Published

12 months ago

February 28, 2025

Neymar back to Barcelona: Is that a good idea?

No, you’re not dreaming, it is the year 2025.

You might be wondering how on earth, then, we are sitting here discussing the possibility of Neymar returning to Barcelona this summer.

After all, the Brazilian has just turned 33 years old and has only played 13 games of football in the past two seasons.

I’m not going to blame you for scratching your head. However, this is the world of football transfers — and the world of Barcelona football club — which means: don’t rule anything out.

As unreasonable of a fit as he might seem for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, it is an idea being explored behind the scenes, as reported by my colleague David Ornstein.

I’ll start by laying out the state of play.

Neymar signed a six-month deal with his boyhood club Santos last month, after reaching an agreement with his Saudi club Al Hilal to leave on a free transfer. He moved to Saudi for €90million (£80m/$102m) in 2023 and scored once in seven appearances, with his stay disrupted massively by the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered while playing for Brazil just months after he joined.

His short-term contract at Santos will, in theory, allow him to get back in shape — and he has made a bright start, scoring twice in his six appearances so far. Despite the stuttering return with Al Hilal after his ACL injury, Neymar is now on a mission.

It is no secret that Brazil’s record goalscorer has pushed to come back to Barcelona multiple times since he joined PSG in 2017 for a fee of €222million — which remains a world record. Neymar never felt as comfortable in Paris as he did in Barcelona, and his entourage have let the club know that for years.

In 2019, the Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, tried and failed to bring him back. Four years later, when Neymar left PSG to join Al Hilal, he tested the waters with Barcelona before committing to Saudi. At that time, the Catalans were drowning in a financial turmoil and they could not even dream of paying a fee to PSG. Neymar accepted the reality of the situation and agreed to join Al Hilal.

(Fayez Nureldine/AFP via Getty Images)

But why should it be different now, with Barcelona still fighting over salary limits and player registrations? And most importantly, in what world can club executives think it is a good idea to sign an older player and risk disrupting the established order of a young squad bursting with talent?

Pini Zahavi, the player’s agent, is a key figure when it comes to trying to understand what is happening here. Zahavi holds a tight friendship with the Barca president Joan Laporta, who has sanctioned in recent years the arrival of two of Zahavi’s biggest clients: Robert Lewandowski and Hansi Flick. The relationship between the agent and the executive has been essential in those transfers, and will surely be again in the future; Jonathan Tah, the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back available on a free this summer, is another player managed by Zahavi who has been linked with Barcelona.

With the club due to be playing at the renovated Camp Nou in 2025-26, the arrival of a star name like Neymar would be appealing to Laporta — to celebrate the return to the stadium and to help sell out the 60,000 seats initially available when the team does return.

Inside the dressing room, Neymar would have some influential allies. The club captain and star performer this season, Raphinha, has always been close to Neymar from their time together with the Brazil national team. Then there is Lamine Yamal, who grew up worshipping Neymar. The two met at the Globe Soccer Awards Gala in December and have been interacting with each other on social media in the months since.

(Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

One positive for Barcelona’s precarious financial situation is that Neymar would arrive on a free transfer, with his short-term deal with Santos expiring this summer. With his sight set on representing Brazil at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, he may even agree to personal terms that were favourable to Barcelona in order to be back at a club he loves on the biggest stage.

From a football perspective, it is difficult to argue how this move would make sense. It’s hard to see how a 33-year-old Neymar, with his extensive injury record, would fit in Flick’s high-pressing system, which requires a significant amount of off-the-ball work from his forward line. This exact issue, in fact, is the reason why the 36-year-old Lewandowski has been dropped from the starting line-up several times this season.

It is no secret that Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, is exploring the market for a new forward — preferably one that can play on the left-hand side as well as in a central position.

Club sources, who asked to speak anonymously to protect their jobs, told The Athletic that some of the players favoured by Deco are Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, Milan’s Rafael Leao and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. They look like far more suitable profiles to how Flick wants his Barcelona to play — but all three will have plenty of suitors this summer should they leave their current clubs.

But what if Barcelona’s financial hurdles do Neymar a favour here? What if the club can’t fight to sign one of Deco’s top targets because of more registration problems? What if Neymar is the most feasible option available, and one that would please the club’s president and likely give a boost to matchday ticket sales?

This is certainly going to be the biggest decision facing Barcelona this summer. As relevant as Laporta’s criteria has always been when it comes to Barcelona’s business activity, the preferences of Deco and the amount of money that the club recoup from player sales are important factors too.

And, above them all, there should be the thoughts of Flick, the manager who has invigorated Barcelona and turned them into La Liga and Champions League contenders. No relevant signing will be made next summer without him giving it the green light — even if he and Neymar do share an agent.

But, as we said: this is the sometimes unfathomable world of football transfers, and this is Barcelona, so don’t rule anything out…

(David Ramos/Getty Images)

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Sports

Anthony Richardson free to seek trade after injury setbacks amid Colts’ shift to Daniel Jones

Published

8 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Anthony Richardson free to seek trade after injury setbacks amid Colts’ shift to Daniel Jones

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Anthony Richardson Sr.’s future in Indianapolis faces more uncertainty than ever.

The Indianapolis Colts granted Anthony Richardson, the team that used the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on the quarterback, permission to explore a trade. His agent, Deiric Jackson, confirmed the latest development in the 23-year-old’s tumultuous career to ESPN on Thursday.

Veteran quarterback Daniel Jones beat out Richardson in a preseason competition for the starting job. Jones made the most of another opportunity as an NFL starter, helping the Colts win eight of their first 10 games of the 2025 regular season.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson heads off the field after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

However, his season was ultimately derailed by an Achilles injury. The setback came two years after he tore an ACL with the New York Giants. The Colts appear ready to move forward with Jones, clouding Richardson’s future in Indianapolis.

Jones is set to become a free agent in March, meaning the Colts must either use the franchise tag or sign him to a new deal. Richardson has started just 15 games in three seasons with the Colts, his tenure largely shaped by injuries.

A shoulder surgery limited Richardson to four games during his rookie campaign, while a series of setbacks cost him four games in 2024.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) looks for an open receiver during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)

Richardson suffered what was described as a “freak pregame incident” during warmups last season, landing him on injured reserve after attempting just two passes in two games in 2025. He has thrown 11 touchdowns against 13 interceptions in his NFL career.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday that the vision problems stemming from Richardson’s orbital fracture last October are “trending in the right direction.” He added that Richardson has been “cleared to play.”

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

Riley Leonard, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is expected to return to the Colts next season.

When asked about Richardson’s standing with the Colts moving ahead, Ballard replied, “I still believe in Anthony.”

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

Sports

Prep talk: Freshman golfer William Hudson of St. John Bosco wins Servite Invitational

Published

9 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Prep talk: Freshman golfer William Hudson of St. John Bosco wins Servite Invitational

William Hudson, a 14-year-old freshman golfer, shot 71 on Monday at Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills to win the Servite Invitational.

“It was very important to me and my school,” Hudson said.

Some think it’s the first time a St. John Bosco student won an invitational title.

Hudson is a straight-A student who picked up his first golf club when he was 3. He has a daily routine involving practicing at 6 a.m. before heading to school. He’s also enrolled in a school entrepreneur program that involves taking classes at a junior college that will qualify for college credits.

“They are long days, but I get through it,” Hudson said.

He comes from a family that enjoys golf. His great-grandfather played until his death at 98 last year.

“I love how it can take me to interesting places and meet interesting people,” Hudson said. “I can play for the rest of my life. It’s a lifelong sport.”

It’s looking like another strong year for golfers in Southern California, with several individual champions returning, including Jaden Soong of St. Francis and Grant Leary of Crespi.

Now Hudson has thrust himself into the conversation.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Sports

Dashcam video shows former WWE executive Vince McMahon rear-ending vehicle on Connecticut highway

Published

20 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Dashcam video shows former WWE executive Vince McMahon rear-ending vehicle on Connecticut highway

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Police have released new video showing former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon speeding before crashing his 2024 Bentley Continental GT into another luxury car on a Connecticut highway last summer.

McMahon appeared to be followed by a state trooper in Westport moments ahead of the eventual collision. McMahon’s vehicle reached speeds of more than 100 mph, state police said.

A trooper’s dashcam video showed McMahon accelerating and then braking too late to avoid rear-ending a BMW. The car McMahon was driving then swerved into a guardrail and careened back across the highway. A cloud of dirt, apparently mixed with vehicle debris, was visible in the immediate area of the crash.

WWE owner Vince McMahon enters the arena during WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium on Apr 3, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Joe Camporeale/USA Today Sports)

“Why were you driving all over 100 mph?” a state trooper asked McMahon after catching up to the wrecked Bentley.

“I got my granddaughter’s birthday,” McMahon replied, explaining he was on his way to see her. The encounter was recorded on police bodycam video.

No serious injuries were reported in the July 24 crash, which happened the same day former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan died of a heart attack in Florida.

In an image taken from Connecticut State Police police bodycam video, Vince McMahon is questioned in his car after an accident on July 24, 2025, in Westport, Connecticut. (Connecticut State Police via The Associated Press)

Aside from the damage to the rear of the BMW, another vehicle driving on the opposite side of the parkway was struck by flying debris. The driver of that third car happened to be wearing a WWE shirt, police video suggested.

McMahon was cited for reckless driving and following too closely. In October, a state judge allowed him to enter a pretrial probation program that could erase the charges if he completes it successfully.

He was also ordered to make a $1,000 charitable contribution. His attorney, Mark Sherman, called the crash simply an “accident.”

“Not every car accident is a crime,” Sherman said. “Vince’s primary concern during this case was for the other drivers and is appreciative that the court saw this more of an accident than a crime that needed to be prosecuted.”

Vince McMahon attends a press conference to announce that WWE Wrestlemania 29 will be held at MetLife Stadium in 2013 at MetLife Stadium on Feb. 16, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Michael N. Todaro/Getty Images)

State police said a trooper was trying to catch up to McMahon on the parkway and clock his speed before pulling him over. They said the incident was not a pursuit, which happens when police chase someone trying to flee officers. They also said it did not appear McMahon was trying to escape.

“I’m trying to catch up to you, and you keep taking off,” State Police Det. Maxwell Robins said in the video.

“No, no no. I’m not trying to outrun you,” McMahon clarified.

An accident information summary provided to the media shortly after the crash did not mention that a trooper was following McMahon.

The trooper’s bodycam video also shows him asking McMahon whether he was looking at his phone when the crash happened. McMahon said he was not and added he hadn’t driven his car in a long time.

After Robins tells McMahon that his car is fast, McMahon replies, “Yeah, too (expletive) fast.”

Fox News Digital submitted a public records request to obtain the police video, which was first acquired by The Sun.

McMahon stepped down as WWE’s CEO in 2022 amid a company investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He also resigned as executive chairman of the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE, in 2024, a day after a former WWE employee filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against him. McMahon has denied the allegations. The lawsuit remains pending.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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