Neymar's much-anticipated return to Santos has not unfolded as fans hoped, marked by considerable struggles on the field. The Brazilian superstar, who returned to his roots after his stint at Al-Hilal, has faced mounting criticism for his performance since stepping back onto the pitch. His lackluster play has raised questions about his fitness and readiness, particularly after battling serious injuries including ACL surgery.
During his debut match against Botafogo-SP, which ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw, Neymar started on the bench but made headlines for his performance as he returned to the starting lineup against Novorizontino. The match concluded with another frustrating result, finishing 0-0. Over the course of 75 minutes on the field, Neymar lost possession of the ball 24 times, failed to complete any of his seven dribbles, and generated no shots on target. This has raised alarm bells among fans and pundits alike.
Following the match, Globo Esporte described Neymar's display as one of "poor performance," echoing sentiments throughout Brazilian sporting media. Juca Kfouri, noted sports analyst, pointedly stated, "Neymar doesn't have the rhythm to play professional football... He'll have to train hard to return to being what we call a footballer." Adding to this critique, Milton Neves suggested, "Neymar will end up elevando incluso a defensores mediocres," showcasing his concern over the current state of the player.
The statistics from Neymar's appearances provide sobering insight. Against Botafogo, he completed 77% of his passes and successfully dribbled only 38% of the time. His performance against Novorizontino saw him drop to just 78.5% pass completion and win only 25% of his duels. Analysts agree these statistics are far from the levels expected of someone with his talent and history.
Despite these criticisms, Neymar remains optimistic about his potential to bounce back. After the match on his birthday, he expressed his readiness to improve, stating, "I need more minutes, more matches. I am not 100%, but I didn’t expect to run as much as I did tonight." He emphasized the importance of patience as he regains match fitness and rhythm, underscoring his unwavering commitment to the game.
Santos FC's coach, Pedro Caixinha, concurs with Neymar's views but has urged caution, recognizing the fine line between pushing for performance and risking injury. "He still lacks rhythm, but he has great desire. We must be careful for the sake of everyone. For the good of football," Caixinha remarked, demonstrating his support for Neymar during this transitional period.
The upcoming matches will provide Neymar with key opportunities to demonstrate his growth, especially with Santos facing local rivals Corinthians. With Santos currently positioned third in Group B of the Paulista Championship, every match counts as they chase the possibility of securing their first title since Neymar's return to the club.
Nonetheless, Neymar's return is not just about titles; it’s deeply personal. Having left Santos as a 21-year-old after achieving significant success and building his legacy, his rebirth at the club holds emotional weight. Neymar reflected on this connection, saying, "I left here at age 21, I travelled the world, made history… this (taking pictures with rivals) is the respect I get back home."
Brazil's national team is also keeping watch. With World Cup qualifiers approaching, Neymar’s fitness level will impact his inclusion. Coach Dorival Júnior has hinted at the potential of including Neymar for the upcoming double fixture against Colombia and Argentina, contingent upon his performances at Santos in the following weeks. The Brazilian public eagerly awaits to see if their national treasure can regain his legendary form.
Neymar's return has undeniably excited both fans and stakeholders within Brazilian football, but the reality on the pitch must match the hype. With palpable pressure to perform, Neymar must convert the promise of talent and potential back onto the field, returning Santos to glory as they once experienced together. Santos remains hopeful he can rekindle the magic of his earlier years...