Neymar Silences Critics with Santos Goals
Neymar scored his first goals since returning to Santos, silencing critics with a brace that helped Santos to victory. The Brazilian forward's celebration—finger to lips—was a direct message to doubters questioning his fitness and motivation in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup. Neymar emphasized his commitment and form after years in Europe.
Neymar's return to Santos in January 2025 came after a financially lucrative but professionally disappointing 18-month stint with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal. The Saudi club paid a reported €90 million transfer fee to Paris Saint-Germain for the Brazilian star in August 2023. His time in the Middle East was marred by significant injuries, including a ruptured ACL suffered in October 2023, which limited him to just seven appearances and one goal for Al Hilal. His contract was ultimately terminated by mutual consent, with reports indicating he received a settlement payment of between £24.16 million and £56.37 million. The move back to his boyhood club was intended to help him regain form and fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, his comeback was met with skepticism, fueled by recurring injury setbacks and a viral video clip that showed him struggling to run during a match, leading some to suggest he was "finished" and should retire. The brace against Vasco da Gama in the Brazilian league marked his first goals of 2026 and ended a scoring drought that dated back to December of the previous year. It was his third appearance of the year and only his second full 90-minute match. Directly addressing his detractors after the victory, Neymar stated, "Last week they said I was the worst player in the world... Today I scored two goals, and that's what matters." He acknowledged feeling cramps late in the game but described it as part of his recovery process. One of his goal celebrations was a tribute to fellow Brazilian international Vinícius Jr., a gesture of solidarity against the racist abuse the Real Madrid player has faced in Europe. The performance is seen as a crucial step in his bid to be included in Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad. National team coach Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that while the door is open for the veteran forward, selection is contingent on him being "100% game-ready."
