Brazilian superstar Neymar is reportedly set to return to his boyhood club, Santos, after mutually terminating his contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. The 32-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, is expected to sign a short-term deal with Santos, where he began his illustrious career.

Neymar’s departure from Al-Hilal marks the end of an injury-riddled stint with the club, where he made just seven appearances since joining in August 2023 for a staggering £77.6 million. His time in Saudi Arabia was marred by a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023. Despite returning briefly in late 2024, Neymar has not featured since November.

Neymar Turns Down MLS for Santos

While Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire attempted to secure Neymar’s signature, the Brazilian forward opted to return to Santos instead. Chicago Fire had exclusive rights to negotiate with Neymar in the MLS, but the player reportedly preferred rejoining the club where he scored 136 goals in 225 matches before his 2013 move to Barcelona.

Inter Miami was also linked to Neymar, with speculation that he could reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. However, Neymar’s decision to return to Santos highlights his sentimental connection to his first club.

A Glittering Career Comes Full Circle

Neymar rose to global prominence at Santos before joining Barcelona, where he won two La Liga titles, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup. In 2017, he became the world’s most expensive footballer, moving to Paris Saint-Germain for a record £200 million. During his time in Paris, Neymar secured five Ligue 1 titles and further solidified his legacy.

Following his move to Al-Hilal, Neymar expressed ambitions to “write new sporting history,” but injuries limited his impact. Now, as he prepares for a new chapter with Santos, fans eagerly await the return of one of Brazil’s greatest talents to his roots.

Stay updated with the latest football news at Sri Lankan Sports TV.

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker is set to join Italian giants AC Milan on loan for the remainder of the season. The agreement reportedly includes an option for AC Milan to make the move permanent during the summer transfer window.

Walker, who has played 316 matches for Manchester City since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 for £50 million, will travel to Italy for his medical. The 34-year-old right-back last played for City in their game against West Ham on January 4. Shortly after, he informed manager Pep Guardiola of his interest in exploring opportunities abroad.

The England international, with 93 caps to his name, preferred a move to Serie A over a potential switch to the Saudi Pro League, where he was initially linked. Walker, who has been an integral part of City’s success, contributed to all six of their Premier League title wins under Guardiola.

AC Milan’s interest in Walker comes amidst links to Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. However, Italian transfer rules allow them to register only one player from the UK during this window. This made Walker their priority signing.

As one of City’s joint-captains, elected by his teammates in 2023, Walker has been a key figure in the club’s leadership group.

Meanwhile, Manchester City has been active in the January transfer market, spending approximately £123 million on new additions. These include Egypt forward Omar Marmoush from Frankfurt for £59 million, Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £30 million, and Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for £33.6 million.

Stay updated on the latest football transfer news at Sri Lankan Sports TV.

Colombo, Sri Lanka – January 11, 2025: The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has officially rebranded its prestigious Division-1 competition as “League-One”, signaling a new era for Sri Lankan football. This initiative aims to elevate the sport’s standards and make football more accessible to communities nationwide.

League-One: A New Identity for Sri Lankan Football

The FFSL competition committee unanimously approved the transformation, positioning League-One as the backbone of Sri Lanka’s football development. The rebranding aligns with FFSL’s vision to make football the “People’s Game”, fostering nationwide participation and nurturing emerging talent.

New Format & Features

The 2025 League-One tournament introduces a revamped format featuring 16 teams, strategically divided into four regional groups. Each team will compete in six home-and-away group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super-8 stage, where they will play another round of home-and-away fixtures in two groups.

For the first time in FFSL history, the semi-finals and final will be conducted as two-legged home-and-away matches, adding a fresh layer of excitement to the competition.

Future Growth & Expansion

In a significant development, League-One will expand to 32 teams by 2026, ensuring comprehensive representation from every province.

Incentives & Player Support

FFSL has announced attractive cash prizes to enhance competition:

• Champions: LKR 1 million
• Runners-up: LKR 500,000

Additionally, FFSL will provide match jerseys and match balls to all participating teams, reinforcing grassroots football development.

President’s Statement

“We are dedicated to making football accessible to every community in Sri Lanka. This year, we are investing significantly in domestic competitions to strengthen football’s foundation and integrate it into our nation’s culture.”

Key Dates

• Kickoff: February 8, 2025
• Grand Final: June 2025

A New Chapter for Sri Lankan Football

The transformation of Division-1 into League-One marks a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s football history. With a new identity, an expanded format, and strategic investments, League-One promises to shape the future of Sri Lankan football.

Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for the latest updates, match previews, and exclusive coverage of League-One and Sri Lanka football news.