Neymar Silences Critics at Santos
Neymar scored his first goals since returning to Santos, responding to critics and energizing fans with a signature performance. The Brazilian superstar's homecoming has been closely watched after his injury-plagued stint in Europe. His celebration included shushing gestures toward doubters.
The brace against Vasco da Gama on February 26, 2026, marked a decisive moment for Neymar, breaking a personal scoring drought that dated back to the previous December. The two goals secured a crucial 2-1 victory for Santos, ending the club's early-season winless streak and lifting them from the bottom of the Brasileirão standings. This performance was his third game of the year and only his second full 90 minutes as he works back to peak fitness following knee surgery. The goals came on the heels of pointed criticism regarding his on-field impact. Former Brazil teammate Luís Fabiano had publicly stated that Neymar "messes up the team tactically" by dropping too deep, disrupting the team's structure. After the win, Neymar directly addressed his detractors, stating, "Last week, they said I was the worst player in the world... Today I scored two goals, and that's what matters." Neymar's return to Santos in January 2025 is on a six-month contract, a move aimed at rejuvenating his career ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The deal followed a mutually agreed termination of his contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal, where a torn ACL and subsequent hamstring issue limited him to just seven appearances. His time in Europe was similarly marred by physical setbacks. After a record-breaking €222 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, a series of injuries, including metatarsal fractures and recurring ankle problems, caused him to miss over 100 games for the French club. This is Neymar's second chapter with the club that launched his career. In his first spell from 2009 to 2013, he became a global sensation, scoring 138 goals in 225 official matches. He famously led Santos to their first Copa Libertadores title since the Pelé era in 2011, scoring a decisive goal in the final.
