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Rumors surrounding Neymar’s future have once again sent Brazilian football into a frenzy, but Fluminense has firmly shut down the latest wave of speculation. As chatter intensified about the Santos superstar potentially making a shocking move, the Rio-based club stepped forward with a clear message: there is no deal, no talks, and no negotiations underway.
The club’s president, Mario Bittencourt, issued a strongly worded statement on social media to silence the growing noise, reaffirming that Fluminense has not engaged in any form of contact with Neymar or his representatives. His comments come at a moment when excitement—and confusion—had escalated following a series of remarks and reports tying Neymar to a possible return to the Tricolor.
Rumors sparked by praise and internal buzz
The latest speculation began when Fluminense’s head of physiotherapy, Nilton Petrone—popularly known as File—referred to Neymar as the “last genius of Brazilian football” during his appearance on the Setor Sul Podcast. The statement, though complimentary, unwittingly ignited discussions about a potential pursuit of the forward.
Adding fuel to the fire were reports claiming that veteran defender Tiago Silva had been encouraging the club to make a move for his close friend and longtime Brazil teammate. These whispers quickly gained momentum online, amplifying fan excitement about a high-profile reunion on Brazilian soil.
A transfer that was once close to reality
The rumor mill churned even harder because of Neymar’s own revelation that he nearly joined Fluminense on a short-term loan earlier this year. The arrangement, which would have allowed him to participate in the Club World Cup, was seriously discussed between Bittencourt and then-coach Renato Gaucho.
Neymar admitted how close the temporary deal came to materializing, explaining that it ultimately fell apart following internal discussions with his father and agent.
He said during the tournament, “I was having these conversations with some teams to play the World Cup. Fluminense was something that came very close to happening, but I preferred to stay and train more to come back even better.”
His statement offered fans a glimpse into just how real the possibility had been months earlier—making today’s rumors feel all the more believable.
Fluminense sets the record straight on Neymar
To halt the growing narrative, Bittencourt released a categorical denial emphasizing not only the absence of contact but also the club’s respect for Santos, where Neymar is currently committed.
His statement read: “Regarding Neymar, I clarify that there has been no recent contact between Fluminense and the player, or his staff. Fluminense has immense respect for Santos and, obviously, the club and the player are 100% dedicated to winning the remaining games in the Brazilian Championship.”
With this, Fluminense has put a definitive pause on the rumors—but in Brazilian football, especially where Neymar is concerned, speculation is never far from resurfacing.
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