Neymar has confirmed he will sign what is expected to be a short-term contract with his boyhood club, Santos, as the Brazil striker aims to recharge his career ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Neymar announced Thursday he was returning to Brazilian club Santos, where he started his career, after ending his injury-plagued spell with Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal. - Pele's heir - At the start of his career he was cast as the heir to Pele.

Neymar has agreed to sign for his former side Santos in Brazil, saying "it feels like I'm going back in time". Brazil's record goalscorer, 32, is expected to sign a short-term deal at the club where he began his career.