The Brazilian footballer joined his boyhood club on a short-term deal last month after his contract with Saudi side Al-Hilal was terminated by mutual consent and his father and agent Neymar Sr. has revealed that the star sees his long-term future with the team.

Neymar Sr. told TNT Brasil: "Our project is not just for five months, it is a contract that we are considering renewing.

"We didn't come here to compete for five months, it was to give Santos the opportunity to restructure itself, to find partners for the club to rebuild itself."

Neymar scored his first goal since returning to his homeland as Santos beat Agua Santa in the Sao Paulo state championships game on Sunday (16.02.25) but insists that he is concentrating on the present rather than the future as he battles back from serious injury problems.

The former Barcelona player said: "Let's take it easy. It's a contract we made not just between the two of us. One is helping the other. Santos opened the doors for me to reacquaint myself with football, with my joy. I didn't sign a long contract because I didn't know how I was going to get back, how I was going to feel in those months. Anything can happen."

Neymar says that his caution stems from the injury problems that marred his time in Saudi Arabia as he missed a year of football with a knee problem.

Brazil's record goalscorer said: "As long as I'm on the field I will give myself 100 per cent.

"Let's take it easy, let's wait for these moments, enjoy these games. Santos knows the love I feel for this club, the respect I have for them. It's the beginning of a great era for Santos, I'm sure Santos will rise again and return to the top."