Football
A spectacular comeback? Neymar could return to the club where he charmed the world. The Brazilian boss reveals what it would take
As a teenager, he had a huge future. He was to become one of the best players in history and win several Ballon d’Ors. However, Neymar never lived up to his potential. A great career notwithstanding. Now he is a player for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, but a big comeback is in the cards.
As a teenager, he had a huge future. He was to become one of the best players in history and win several Ballon d’Ors. However, Neymar never lived up to his potential. A great career notwithstanding. Now he is a player for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, but a big comeback is in the cards.
It was 2011. Neymar was still only 19 years old. He hadn’t yet played in Europe. He was shining in a Brazilian Santos jersey. Yet even then, the whole world knew about him. The extremely talented Brazilian was entertaining fans with his finesse and incredible stunts.
Scoring goals, collecting assists. His technique was breathtaking. The new Ronaldinho, the new Pelé? He had a huge future. He had the potential to be one of the greatest players in history. To win several Ballon d’Ors. After all, he was already in the top ten of the Ballon d’Or poll.
Now it’s 2024, Neymar is 32 years old and although his career cannot be seen as a failure, it can definitely be said that he has had an extra one. However, he’s been unlucky with injuries, he hasn’t helped himself with poor decisions, and his lifestyle is also in doubt.
He doesn’t have a single Ballon d’Or to his name. However, he is the top scorer in the history of the Brazilian national team, with almost 30 trophies to his credit. Moreover, he only plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Or rather, he doesn’t. He only played in five games, then got seriously injured and will be out for a while.
What’s next for him? He’s under contract until the summer of 2025 with the Riyadh outfit, yet there is speculation about his future. It could be very interesting.
Will Neymar make a spectacular comeback?
Even after leaving Brazil, Neymar has never abandoned the club that nurtured him for great football. He never said anything bad about Santos, from where he eventually left for Barcelona, from where he headed to PSG. He still has the Brazilian club in his heart.
He even attended one of his former employer’s games recently. Moreover, Santos president Marcelo Teixeira admitted that he had a brief but crucial meeting with the star striker.
“The conversation was very short, but quick conversations are often the most effective,” Teixeira told ESPN Brazil, according to Goal.
Will there be a big comeback? “In order to play for us, first of all, he needs to recover properly. After that, he will continue to gain experience in Saudi Arabia and then he can come,” the Brazilian club boss concluded the topic with optimism.
If Neymar does indeed return to Brazil, it would be a big bombshell for the whole of Brazilian football. The competition there, and especially the Santos matches, would definitely gain in viewership.
Source: ESPN, Santos FC, Goal, Transfermarkt
