"Why Neymar's Homecoming is a Reminder of Promise Unfulfilled

Why Neymar's Homecoming is a Reminder of Promise Unfulfilled

Paris - When Neymar left Brazil at 21 in 2013 to join Barcelona, he set out to establish himself as a footballing great, seemingly destined to be remembered as his country's greatest player since Pelé. Twelve years on, Neymar has returned to his first club Santos, but the excitement surrounding his homecoming is tempered by disappointment.

The celebrity with unimaginable wealth has been reduced to a footballer whose fragile body has been ravaged by injuries. Neymar has been one of the finest players in the world when at the top of his game, a forward with dazzling skill who understands football as art, as his former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique once said. However, it is equally true that he never managed to fulfill his potential, a player who dreamt of winning the Ballon d'Or but always found himself in the shadow of others at club level, whether it be Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappé.

Neymar's presence has already had an impact on Santos, contributing to a 3-1 win over São Paulo on Saturday. 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.

However, despite his impressive skills and achievements, Neymar's return to Santos serves as a reminder that he has failed to live up to expectations. By age 33, Pelé had won the World Cup three times, while Neymar's three World Cups have ended in tears.

Each time he has carried a nation's hopes on his shoulders, but the tournament has exposed his vulnerable physique and brittle emotions. In 2014, he was cut down in a quarterfinal win over Colombia and stretchered off in agony with a fractured bone in his back. He overcame injury to be fit for Russia 2018, but Brazil were sent packing in the quarterfinals by Belgium. And in Qatar in 2022, he was hampered by an ankle injury suffered in Brazil's first game. He came back to score a brilliant goal against Croatia in the quarterfinals, but could not stop his team losing on penalties.

Next year's tournament in North America represents his last chance to win a World Cup. Neymar is a player who can still have much to offer, said Muricy Ramalho, Neymar's coach at Santos. But it all depends on whether he stays fit.

As Neymar returns to Santos, his focus will be on preparing for the coming challenges of next year. He has just spent 18 months in Saudi Arabia after joining Al Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in August 2023 on a deal that enriched him by a reported €100 million ($103 million) a season.

Neymar played five games for his new club before suffering a serious knee injury playing for Brazil. After a year out, he returned last October and made two more appearances, only to suffer a hamstring tear.

As Neymar returns to the club where it all began, the question remains Can he still achieve great things despite his fragile body? Only time will tell.

The Illusionist's Dilemma

Neymar's story serves as a reminder that even the greatest players can fall short of their expectations. It is a cautionary tale about the fragility of the human body and the importance of staying fit to achieve success.

As Neymar looks to the future, he must confront the reality that his body is not what it once was. He has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, and it remains to be seen whether he can overcome this latest setback to achieve greatness.

Conclusion The Return of Neymar

Neymar's return to Santos serves as a reminder that even the greatest players can fall short of their expectations. As he prepares for the coming challenges of next year, Neymar must confront the reality that his body is not what it once was.

Despite this, there remains a glimmer of hope that he can still achieve great things. The question remains Can Neymar overcome his latest setbacks to achieve greatness? Only time will tell.

Keywords Neymar, Santos, Barcelona, PSG, Al Hilal, World Cup, Brazil, fitness, injuries

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.