Neymar Admits Admiration for Four Premier League Clubs Amid Santos Struggles

Neymar’s return to Santos in January 2025 has been disappointing, with injuries and poor form compounding the club’s relegation battle. The 33-year-old wept after a 6-0 loss to Vasco da Gama, calling the display embarrassing. Despite never playing in England, Neymar once revealed admiration for Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool.

As the struggles continue for Neymar at Santos, the Brazilian star has once again found himself in the headlines for both his on-field disappointments and his past admiration for the Premier League. The 33-year-old forward returned to his boyhood club in January 2025 after an unsuccessful stint with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where injuries limited him to just seven appearances following his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

His homecoming to Brazilian football was greeted with excitement, but injuries quickly resurfaced. A muscle issue in April kept him sidelined for five consecutive league games, and his frustrations deepened last weekend when Santos suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Vasco da Gama. With the club sitting only two points above the relegation zone in Serie A, Neymar left the field in tears and admitted in a post-match interview that he felt “ashamed” and “angry,” while also criticising his teammates’ lack of effort.

Despite his current struggles, Neymar’s legacy in Europe remains significant from his time at Barcelona and PSG. Interestingly, back in 2017, he revealed the four English clubs he admired most: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool, praising both their competitive spirit and legendary managers. However, his dream of playing in the Premier League now looks unlikely.