Neymar successfully debuted for Santos, loudly criticized the coach of Al Hilal Club as an 'idiot'

"I'm ready to play. Of course I won't be able to play the full 90 minutes, I've been out for a long time due to injury. I need to get on the field and gradually get back to myself. So I was upset when Jorge Jesus said that I didn't have the ability to play like the rest of the team (Al Hilal)," Neymar expressed indignantly after making his debut for Santos (a 1-1 draw with Botafogo) on February 6.

Neymar left a strong impression when he played the entire second half of his first match since November 2024.

In this match, Neymar played the entire second half, the first match of the 33-year-old Brazilian star since last November, and also the first match he returned to play for Santos Club after 12 years of leaving.

Neymar left a strong impression, showing that he still has all the technical qualities of a top star. He played strongly, helping Santos' attack become more varied. Sofascore (Brazil) gave Neymar 7.4 points despite only playing 45 minutes. He was also voted the best player of the match.

"I think when Jorge Jesus said those words, he looked stupid. In training, it was completely different. In training, I proved that I was fit to play, and I had the same physical condition as the other players in the team.

"When we play training matches, I am the one who decides every game, I am the one who scores. So when he says I am not good enough, he is an idiot. But I do not want to create controversy, I do not like to talk about this. It is not something I like to do, but it is the truth," Neymar emphasized.

Returning to Santos, Neymar received great attention from Brazilian fans.

Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, 70, has led Al Hilal since June 2018. Up to now, this coach has achieved his most impressive achievement when helping Saudi Arabia's number 1 team win the treble including the Saudi Pro League, King Cup and Super Cup championship in the 2023-2024 season.

After the statements about Neymar's inability to play, Mr. Jorge Jesus also contributed to the player's decision to return to his old team Santos in his hometown. However, to reach an amicable separation agreement, Al Hilal Club had to pay up to 50 million USD of the remaining 60 million USD salary of the contract, to release Neymar to leave as a free agent.

According to Neymar, he did not speak out in response to what coach Jorge Jesus said during his time at Al Hilal because he felt he was no longer respected and trusted, so he kept silent.

"When he made that statement, I knew that when I got on the pitch, I would prove something different. So, I will leave it here, at Santos Club, where there are people who respect and care about me. I speak on the pitch, that is the only place I can defend myself," Neymar affirmed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ra-mat-santos-thanh-cong-neymar-lon-tieng-chi-trich-hlv-clb-al-hilal-la-ga-ngoc-185250207101834357.htm