Neymar, currently playing for Santos, is notably absent from the revamped FIFA Club World Cup taking place in the United States. However, he recently revealed that he came very close to joining one of the teams participating in the tournament.
During an interview on “Flow Podcast” after a friendly match at Vila Belmiro, Neymar discussed the possibility of signing with Fluminense to compete in the 2025 Club World Cup. “I’m in good physical shape. I’ve been speaking with some teams about playing in the Club World Cup. The deal with Fluminense was very close to happening, but I decided to stay and train a bit more,” he shared.
Neymar emphasized that while he feels physically fit, he aims to improve even further before making a comeback. If he had signed with Fluminense, he would have found himself in Group F alongside Borussia Dortmund, Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa, and Ulsan from Korea. Fluminense kicked off their tournament campaign with an exciting goalless draw against Dortmund.
It’s important to note that Neymar has only played for Santos in his native country, having returned to the club from Al-Hilal in 2025. Santos is set to face Flamengo on July 16, aiming to bounce back after a tough start to the Brasileirao, currently sitting in 15th place and equal on points with Internacional, who are facing relegation.
As for Neymar’s performance, he has only participated in four matches this season, without scoring or assisting any goals. Despite these challenges, his commitment to improving his fitness shows a determined mindset as he prepares for future competitions.
The anticipation surrounding his potential participation in future tournaments continues to grow, and fans remain hopeful for his return to form and contribution to Santos and possibly Fluminense in the years to come.