Fast forward 12 years, and he’s back at his first club, Santos—now a global superstar with incredible wealth, but his body has taken a toll from injuries.
At his peak, Neymar was one of the best players in the world, showcasing incredible talent and flair, as his former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique described him as someone who sees football as an art form.
However, he never quite reached the heights he aimed for, often overshadowed by other stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, despite dreaming of winning the Ballon d’Or.
Neymar has signed a six-month contract and is set to make his second debut for Santos on Wednesday, which also happens to be his 33rd birthday, in a match against Botafogo-SP in the Sao Paulo state championship. Santos coach Pedro Caixinha confirmed, “He will play on Wednesday.”
The Neymar effect is already in play, as his presence helped the team secure a 3-1 victory over Sao Paulo just after he was introduced at the club’s Vila Belmiro stadium.
“He played a big part in this victory,” forward Guilherme said after scoring twice and earning praise from Neymar.
“He passed on so much positive energy. I am grateful. This is not praise from just anyone. He is an idol of mine, of my children, of the nation.”
Neymar is regarded as Santos's most outstanding player since Pele, having surpassed 'O Rei' as Brazil's all-time leading goal-scorer in September 2023.
However, his career has been marred by injuries. By the age of 33, Pele had already secured three World Cup titles, while Neymar's attempts in three tournaments have ended in disappointment.
Each time, he has shouldered the weight of national expectations, yet the competitions have revealed his physical fragility and emotional challenges.
In 2014, during a quarter-final match against Colombia on home turf, he suffered a devastating back injury that forced him off the field on a stretcher. He managed to recover in time for the 2018 World Cup, but Brazil was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Belgium.
In the 2022 tournament in Qatar, an ankle injury sustained in Brazil's opening match hindered his performance. Although he returned to score a stunning goal against Croatia in the quarter-finals, he could not prevent his team from losing in the penalty shootout.
The upcoming tournament in North America next year represents his final opportunity to secure a World Cup victory.
“Now I need to play again,” said Neymar. “And only a club like Santos can provide the love I need to prepare for the coming challenges of the next years.”
Neymar has recently concluded an 18-month tenure in Saudi Arabia, having joined Al Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023, in a deal reportedly worth 100 million euros ($103 million) per season.
During his time with the club, he participated in five matches before sustaining a significant knee injury while representing Brazil. After a year-long recovery, he made his return last October, appearing in two additional games before suffering a hamstring injury.
Now, Neymar is set to return to Santos, a club where he previously enjoyed a remarkable period, highlighted by a Copa Libertadores victory in 2011.
He was an exceptional player on a formidable Barcelona team that secured the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey titles in 2015. This year is often regarded as the pinnacle of Neymar's career, as he finished third in the Ballon d'Or rankings, trailing only Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
His record-breaking transfer to PSG in 2017, valued at 222 million euros, was intended to provide him with an opportunity to step out of Messi's shadow.
While he netted 118 goals in 173 appearances for PSG, he frequently faced injuries that sidelined him during crucial matches. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé, who also joined in 2017, quickly emerged as the leading star in Paris.
“For me, he was at his best at Santos. At Barcelona too. But at PSG not so much, even though he scored goals,” reflected Muricy Ramalho, Neymar’s coach at Santos.
Neymar made a grand entrance at Santos training on Monday, arriving by helicopter, reminiscent of a rock star, as he prepares to return to his roots. His potential contributions remain significant, contingent upon his ability to maintain fitness.