Paris, Feb 4, (V7N) — When Neymar left Brazil in 2013 for Barcelona, he was a 21-year-old prodigy destined to be the next great in the lineage of Brazilian football icons. Now, 12 years later, the superstar has returned to his boyhood club, Santos, not as the invincible talent he once was, but as a player battling a history of injuries and unfulfilled potential.

Neymar, now 33, is expected to make his much-anticipated second debut for Santos on Wednesday—his birthday—against Botafogo-SP in the São Paulo state championship. His arrival has already sent shockwaves through Brazilian football.

“He will play on Wednesday,” confirmed Santos coach Pedro Caixinha. Neymar's presence alone seemed to inspire his new teammates, with forward Guilherme, who scored twice in a 3-1 win over São Paulo on Saturday, saying, “He passed on so much positive energy. He is an idol of mine, of my children, of the nation.”

A career of brilliance, yet unfulfilled dreams

Neymar’s talent has never been in question. Dubbed a footballing artist by former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, he played a pivotal role in the Catalan club’s historic treble-winning campaign in 2015. However, his desire to step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow saw him move to Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record €222 million ($240 million) transfer in 2017.

The move was meant to be his launchpad to individual glory, but injuries and the emergence of Kylian Mbappé as PSG’s main star meant Neymar never quite claimed the throne. Despite scoring 118 goals in 173 games for the Parisians, he was often absent for the club’s biggest moments, suffering untimely injuries in crucial Champions League campaigns.

His World Cup record tells a similar story. Expected to lead Brazil to glory, Neymar instead endured heartbreak in three successive tournaments—injury in 2014, quarter-final elimination in 2018, and a painful exit in 2022 despite a stunning goal against Croatia. With the 2026 World Cup in North America likely his last shot at international glory, his return to Santos could be as much about regaining fitness as it is about sentimentality.

A star diminished by injuries

After moving to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in 2023 on a reported €100 million ($103 million) per season deal, Neymar played just seven games before a serious knee injury derailed his campaign. His recovery was short-lived—after making just two more appearances in October, he suffered another setback with a hamstring tear.

Now back at Santos, he faces a defining chapter. His grand return has been nothing short of cinematic—he arrived at training in a helicopter, embracing his status as Brazilian football’s returning hero. But beyond the spectacle, the real question remains: can Neymar stay fit enough to make an impact?

With a World Cup on the horizon and a nation still believing in his talent, Neymar’s comeback at Santos is more than just a homecoming—it’s a last chance to reclaim his place among football’s greats.

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