Neymar’s Santos Return: A Fresh Start for His Career and Brazil’s World Cup Aspirations

Rajesh Reddy
6 Min Read

Neymar’s recent move back to Santos marks a significant return to Brazilian football, reminiscent of Romário’s transition from Barcelona to Flamengo three decades ago. While the legendary Ronaldo’s return to Corinthians in 2009 was noteworthy, it was evident that he was past his prime by that point. Neymar, on the other hand, despite being slightly older than Ronaldo was at his return (he turns 33 on Feb. 5), still possesses the potential to shine, although his injury history is troublingly similar.

Neymar’s comeback to the club where he made his mark from 2009 to 2013 isn’t merely a farewell tour or a gentle winding down of his career. Instead, it presents an opportunity for him to aim for what could be the crowning achievement of his tumultuous career: leading Brazil to their much-coveted sixth World Cup title next year.

The distinction between Neymar’s return and Romário’s 30 years ago is significant. Romário, returning at 29, had just secured a World Cup victory in the USA and claimed the FIFA World Player of the Year title. He had reached the peak of his career.

Conversely, Neymar’s journey has been scrutinized and often found lacking, particularly in his quest for the Ballon d’Or, which played a major role in his decision to leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain. While his time in France had its highlights, it ultimately fell short of expectations, especially as the physical nature of the league led to numerous injuries. The Ballon d’Or now seems out of reach, but the World Cup remains a viable goal, providing one last shot at glory.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Neymar’s World Cup history has been fraught with misfortune: missing his first tournament due to injury, being hampered in the second, and suffering yet another injury in the third, only to return and score a stunning goal against Croatia—only to see Brazil eliminated in a penalty shootout. With the 2026 tournament on the horizon, perhaps luck is finally on his side.

However, he must regain his form to perform on such a grand stage. Recently, Neymar found himself in a social media dispute with 2002 World Cup star Rivaldo during a podcast with Romário, where he provocatively suggested he could take Rivaldo’s place in that iconic team. Rivaldo’s displeasure led to a heated exchange online, highlighting the perception that Neymar must now combat: that he is becoming a relic of the past.

In this context, his return to Santos is both a triumph and a setback. The setback stems from Neymar’s earlier ambition to participate in the Club World Cup with Al Hilal, believing it would showcase his status among the world’s elite. However, his plans were thwarted when Al Hilal’s coach, Jorge Jesus, announced Neymar wouldn’t be registered due to his inability to keep up in training. This left Neymar’s current playing capacity uncertain.

On the brighter side, rejoining Santos is a PR victory for Neymar. Despite a career that has often polarized opinions, many fans will likely welcome his return to the storied club, where he will play in the revered Vila Belmiro stadium, symbolically close to Pelé’s mausoleum.

Santos is a remarkable club, hailing from a relatively small port city, yet it produced legendary teams in the late 20th century. Neymar, a standout product of their youth system, previously led Santos to a Copa Libertadores victory in 2011, arguably the highlight of his career. Now, as Santos returns to Brazil’s top division after a tumultuous relegation, there is hope that Neymar can help restore the club’s former glory.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Moreover, Santos provides Neymar a platform that Al Hilal could not: an opportunity to be central to the team’s success. If fit, he will be pivotal in their lineup, giving him the chance to demonstrate that his story is far from over.

The most critical chapter ahead is, of course, the 2026 World Cup. Neymar recently surpassed Pelé as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, but the national team has struggled without him. As they sit fifth in the CONMEBOL standings, doubts about qualification loom. However, with the expanded tournament format, Brazil is likely to be present next year. Nevertheless, anything less than victory will be deemed unacceptable, especially after a 24-year drought.

Neymar’s recovery is eagerly anticipated by coach Dorival Júnior, as the team currently lacks his unique contributions. The question remains: can Neymar step up to fill that void? This query encapsulates the excitement surrounding his return to Santos and the forthcoming challenges on the international stage.

Share This Article
Leave a Comment

Please Login to Comment.