Countdown with Neymar

Neymar has little chance of returning to the Brazilian team.

As Ousmane Dembele – who had come to Barcelona to replace him – lifted the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Neymar had just finished an online poker tournament in which he finished second and pocketed £73,800. It was a bitterly ironic moment: his successor had reached the top of the world , while he, the “Prince of Brazilian Football”, was struggling to find his own way back.

Sorry for Neymar

Back at Santos in January, Neymar was welcomed as a lost son, destined to restore the glory of Brazilian football. He was dubbed “O Príncipe” – the Prince, a nod to “King” Pele. But ten months later, all that remains is disappointment. At 33, he is constantly injured, his form has declined, and Neymar’s name is often in the headlines for reasons off the pitch rather than for goals.

For 15 years, Neymar was the soul of Brazilian football, a worthy successor after the era of Ronaldinho, Kaka, Rivaldo. He carried the burden of expectations of an entire nation, once making PSG spend 222 million euros to have a "superman". But now, looking back, that legacy has become a shadow weighing on him.

At Santos, Neymar has missed 47% of the season through injury. When he has played, he has only made an impact against lower-tier opponents in the São Paulo state league. In Serie A Brazil, where Santos are battling to stay in the top flight, he ranks 50th in the league for successful dribbles – a chilling statistic that suggests the former No. 10 is no longer the decisive factor.

Neymar has not shown much since returning to Santos.

The Brazilian public, who love him but also turn their backs on him easily, is starting to split. According to a survey by Datafolha, 48% of respondents want Neymar to play in the 2026 World Cup, 41% are against it. The story is no longer about talent - everyone admits that - but about the question: does he still have enough desire, enough physical condition, enough spirit to fight for the yellow-green jersey?

When Ancelotti was also confused

Carlo Ancelotti, famously calm, was also flustered when asked about Neymar. The Italian insisted: “The important thing is that he is ready in June, not that he is in the squad in October or November.” A diplomatic way of masking the reality: Neymar is no longer in Brazil’s short-term plans.

Worse, there was a disconnect between them. Ancelotti once said Neymar was dropped for physical reasons, but the striker himself replied: “I was dropped for technical reasons.” When player and coach no longer speak the same language, trust – once the strongest foundation of Neymar’s career – begins to falter.

Cafu, who lifted the World Cup, said bluntly: “If the player we once placed all our hopes on is excluded for technical reasons, there is clearly something wrong.” It was not only a wake-up call for Neymar, but also a regret for a generation of Brazilians who believed he was the chosen one.

When a star hits rock bottom, people often scrutinize every little action. Neymar argued with fans, burst into tears after a 0-6 defeat to Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his career - and then got angry when reporters asked about his fitness: "That question again? I've answered it 500 times already." Those moments were no longer the reactions of an arrogant star, but the helplessness of someone used to the spotlight.

His father, Neymar Sr., even said it bluntly: “The plan is for Neymar to stay at Santos for five months – to recover. If he plays, great, if he doesn’t, that’s fine too.” For fans, it was a stab in the heart: faith in an icon was melting.

Is there any miracle for Neymar?

And then, like a glimmer of light, Ronaldo “The Alien” appeared to protect his juniors. He understood better than anyone the feeling of being doubted, of being considered out of date - until he returned and led Brazil to the throne in 2002.

“Neymar is still a special player. No one in Brazil can replace him. Anyone who has played football knows how difficult it is to come back from injury. He is on the right track,” Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo not only gave Neymar faith, but also reminded the world that football sometimes gives second chances to those who have fallen to the bottom - as long as they want to raise their heads.

Time is running faster than Neymar thinks. From now until June 2026, he may only have a few matches to prove he is still worthy of the yellow-green jersey that made his reputation. A race against time, against public opinion, and against the body that has betrayed him too many times.

The question is no longer whether Neymar still has the talent - but whether he still has the hunger to live for what once set him apart: the joy of playing football.

If Ronaldo ever returns to glory, Neymar, at least, still has a chance to regain respect. But he must start today - not at the poker table, but on the pitch, where the throne is slowly cooling in the absence of a true successor.

Source: https://znews.vn/dong-ho-dem-nguoc-voi-neymar-post1591239.html