Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, often known simply as Neymar, is making waves with his impressive return to Santos FC, where he has shown glimpses of his former brilliance.
Since rejoining Santos at the beginning of the year, Neymar has scored three spectacular goals and provided three assists over seven matches. His recent standout performance came during the quarter-finals of the Campeonato Paulista against Red Bull Bragantino on March 3, 2025, where he opened the scoring with a sensational free-kick just nine minutes from kickoff.
The Brazilian's return to his roots followed his departure from Al-Hilal, where he had struggled to find his form, featuring only seven times over the course of 18 months due to injury setbacks. Neymar exchanged his lucrative deal with the Saudi club for the chance to reignite his career back home, signing with Santos, where he initially gained fame.
Neymar’s performances since returning to Santos have not only revitalized his career but also reawakened interest from his former club, Barcelona FC, where he enjoys legendary status. Despite his recent successes, Barcelona officials have made it clear to Neymar: he must prove he's still at the top of his game if he wishes to rejoin their ranks. Reports suggest they want him to score at least 15 goals during his current tenure with Santos to solidify their interest.
Barcelona has not officially advanced discussions beyond this target, but Neymar has demonstrated on-field brilliance. His unique style of play and ability to change the course of matches have rekindled admiration from fans and pundits alike. His latest free-kick, taken from almost impossible angles, not only showcased his skill but also solidified his role as Santos’s leader and focal point.
Interestingly, Andre Cury, who facilitated Neymar's transfer to Barcelona back in 2013, spoke about the player’s desire to return: "Neymar will be a free agent in July and is regaining his fitness in Brazil. If there is any chance to return to Barcelona, he will do so with great pleasure, I'm sure of it. If the club backs his signing and decides to go for him, it could happen," Cury said during an interview with RAC1.
With many speculating about his future, Neymar himself expressed satisfaction with his current condition. "I feel good physically, more relaxed," he told the press after his performance against Santos. These remarks signal his intent not only to regain his top form but to secure a prominent position within the Brazilian national team as they approach World Cup qualifiers.
The match against Bragantino highlighted Neymar's growing confidence, with the crowd erupting at his first touch of the ball, showing how much his presence means to the fans. The explosive atmosphere during matches serves as much for his reintroduction to football as his own personal recovery.
After scoring goals and nurturing playmaking ability, he’s been instrumental for Santos, which currently leads Group B of the state tournament with three consecutive wins since he joined. This stark improvement contrasts sharply with the team's prior performance without Neymar's involvement.
Heading toward the semifinals of the Campeonato Paulista alongside renowned rivals like Palmeiras and Corinthians, Santos's squad is optimistic about future successes, thanks partly to Neymar’s reemergence. With each game, Neymar continues to demonstrate not just skill but also leadership, inspiring those around him.
Meanwhile, the eyes of football fans will remain fixed on the continuing speculation of his possible return to Barcelona. Should Neymar meet the goal set by the club and maintain this momentum, it could pave the way for another iconic chapter in his storied career.
The final list of players for Brazil’s national team will be announced on March 7, with Neymar featured prominently. Matches against Colombia and Argentina will serve as his opportunity for redemption and to showcase his restored form on the global stage.
Whether this stellar comeback will lead to another major transfer remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Neymar’s return to Santos has not only provided him with joy—it's also brought excitement back to football fans worldwide.