Neymar Faces Challenges as Santos Struggles

Neymar made his return to the starting XI for struggling Santos on Sunday but was unable to make a significant impact as the team fell to a 3-2 defeat at the iconic Maracanã Stadium. This match marked Neymar’s first start in two months, and he received considerable criticism from the media following the game. A report from a Spanish newspaper noted that his performance appeared sluggish and out of sync, even disrupting the flow of play for his teammates. He was also seen protesting his substitution late in the match, which raised questions about his readiness for the Brazilian national team and the upcoming World Cup if he does not regain his form soon.

The former PSG star had been sidelined for nearly two months due to a muscle injury that kept him out of seven matches. Although he made a brief return in a draw against Fortaleza, his long absence was reflected in his performance against Flamengo. Nonetheless, he did showcase his talent with a dangerous free kick and a header that nearly leveled the score.

Neymar, visibly frustrated after being substituted, refused to watch the conclusion of the match while Santos continued to struggle in the relegation zone, sitting two points adrift of safety after 32 games. Reports indicate that Neymar is considering leaving the club at the end of the season if Santos faces relegation, with Inter Miami being a potential destination to reunite with former teammate Lionel Messi. Santos president Marcelo Teixeira has expressed a desire for Neymar to stay but cautioned that financial constraints could hinder contract negotiations.

Following the defeat, Neymar criticized the officiating, stating to Globo, “The referee is very bad. Besides being bad, with all due respect, he’s arrogant. Every time they go to the locker room, they say the captain can speak. When we approach him, he turns his back and walks away. When I try to talk to him, he threatens me. It’s complicated. I received a yellow card due to his threat that if I came near him, I would be penalized. I asked, ‘Can’t I talk to you?’

Having returned to Santos after an injury-laden tenure in Saudi Arabia, Neymar was hoping to regain his form to secure a place in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad. However, he has again been excluded from coach Carlo Ancelotti’s latest roster, who stated he is nearing a decision on the final squad. Ancelotti suggested that Neymar may need to adjust his position to find his best form, indicating that playing more centrally could allow him greater scoring opportunities.

As Neymar and Santos prepare for their upcoming match against league leaders Palmeiras, they continue their battle against relegation. Meanwhile, Brazil will proceed with international friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia without Neymar during the international break.