Anticipation builds as the Santos and Novorizontino showdown on February 9 promises to be one of the most exciting matches yet in the Paulista Championship, especially with the return of Neymar casting a long shadow across the stadium.
Neymar’s potential participation adds complexity to the matchup. The star forward graced the field again with Santos after 12 years, recently debuting against Botafogo-SP where he played 45 minutes. "It’s a moment of calm; I didn’t expect to run and play as much as I did," Neymar shared, reflecting on his re-entry. While his performance delighted the coaching staff, uncertainty surrounds his playtime against Novorizontino. "We will evaluate how Neymar recovers this week," stated Pedro Malta, interim coach, emphasizing the need for caution.
The match will showcase Novorizontino, currently second in Group C, as they face Santos, the Group B leader. Excitement is palpable with nearly 12,000 tickets sold, marking the largest crowd anticipated at Estádio Jorge Ismael de Biasi for several years. The local community—home to about 38,000 residents—shows significant interest, highlighting the draw Neymar brings. A staggering 5,800 tickets were allocated for Santos fans, many of which sold out rapidly, with prices set around R$150 and R$75 for half-price tickets. It seems the local population has embraced the chance to witness star power on the field, with expectations to surpass the club’s previous attendance record.
Historically, Novorizontino has faced challenges filling seats, but these dynamics shift dramatically with Neymar’s involvement. The excitement surrounding the match juxtaposes their usual struggles; last year they averaged only approximately 2,000 attendees. The best recorded attendance for the club recently was 9,355 against Palmeiras, making this upcoming match particularly significant.
Upon winning the poll for favorite play from the match against Botafogo-SP, Neymar reflected on the recovery process, admitting, "We’ll see how I feel and what the technical committee suggests to me." His remarkable comeback is certainly captivating the attention of fans across Brazil.
For both teams, the stakes run high—Novorizontino is eager to secure their performance as they vie for advancement chances, and Santos aims to reinforce their top position. The weekend clash promises not just local bragging rights but also memorable moments, perhaps even Messi-like performances from Neymar, the player whose mention already electrifies audiences.
Fans are bound to flock to Novo Horizonte, as the Santos delegation will travel on the day before, setting the stage for what could be an unforgettable game. The synergy of vibrant local enthusiasm combined with the star attraction of Neymar makes one thing clear: this is one match not to miss.