Neymar has now reportedly made a huge request to one of his former clubs.
The 31-year-old suffered a devastating cruciate ligament tear back in October, with the injury expected to keep him out of action until April 2024.
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Amid his recovery, more devastation was added to the attacker's list of concerns as his boyhood club Santos were relegated last week after 111 years in the Brazilian top flight.
The club has produced icons such as Dunga, Robinho and, most notably, Pele.
However, reports suggest that the team has experienced some serious financial turmoil in recent years, leading to a somewhat inevitable decline.
Just days after their relegation was confirmed, though, Santos' new president, Marcelo Teixeira, has revealed that Neymar reached out to him to request that his old No. 11 shirt be retired in the wake of the club's demotion.
In an interview with Santa Cecília TV on Monday, Teixeira said: "Yesterday, I received a call from Neymar and he told me: 'President, you already retired [number] 10 until you return to the first division. Then retire 11 until I come back.'
"I'm already happy, I'm already hopeful. I'm going to put it there for our group so we can study it.
"... We are waiting for Neymar's return. He has already given me a lot of hope.
"We are going to temporarily retire the 10 and the 11. Pele can no longer wear the 10.
"A new star will only suit up when we [are] promoted to the elite division. And 11, too. We will wait until our star returns."
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Neymar made 139 appearances for Santos, registering 72 goals and 37 assists, before he made the switch to Europe in 2013, joining FC Barcelona.
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