Barcelona have officially ruled out a move for Neymar Jr. this summer, despite the Brazilian’s interest in returning and vocal support from current players Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
With the club targeting a left winger for a second consecutive transfer window, Neymar had emerged as a potential low-cost option.
However, Sport reports that the Catalan giants have decided not to pursue the 32-year-old, prioritising other profiles, namely, Liverpool’s Luis Díaz.
Club president Joan Laporta had entertained the idea of a nostalgic Neymar comeback, partly due to the forward’s long-standing relationship with Laporta’s camp and agent Pini Zahavi.
Neymar was reportedly eager to rejoin Barça in a bid to reignite his career ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Yet two key factors led to the decision to pull the plug, according to Football Espana. First, Lamine Yamal’s meteoric rise has given the club a fresh star to build around, eliminating the need for a high-profile, risk-laden signing.
Second, Neymar’s inability to stay fit has raised concerns, he has managed just 629 minutes in five months for Santos, with three goals, three assists and nine games missed due to injury.
While Neymar had backing from Raphinha and was idolised by Yamal, both Manager Hansi Flick and Director of Football Deco reportedly opposed the move, citing tactical misfit and durability issues.
