Heavyweight Return! Neymar Back in Action!

Endrick fulfilled his "Real Madrid dream" by scoring in his La Liga debut, while Vinícius Júnior, lured by Saudi millions, is inching closer to the Ballon d'Or. The future of Brazilian football seems to have found its pillars, but the 32-year-old Neymar remains the guiding star and idol for these two young stars. As Vinícius himself said, "Neymar is a great player who has been with the national team for a long time, always helping me both on and off the pitch."

Statistically, Neymar's 79 goals in 128 matches make him Brazil's all-time top scorer. His accolades include the Golden Ball at the 2013 Confederations Cup and leading Brazil to their first-ever Olympic gold in 2016. While he has never lifted the Copa América trophy, he did win the 2021 Copa América MVP. Moreover, he became the third Brazilian, after Pelé and Ronaldo, to score in three different World Cups.

However, despite his legendary status, Neymar's career has recently been plagued by injuries, pushing him into a precarious situation. At 32, his talent may still shine, but injuries have taken their toll. Since joining Al-Hilal for €90 million a year ago, Neymar has only made five appearances for his new club. While his tally of 1 goal and 3 assists reflects his potential, the fact that he's spent more time off the pitch has left Al-Hilal feeling shortchanged, especially considering his €150 million annual salary.

Neymar's anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injuries are severe, often career-threatening for even the most talented athletes. Al-Hilal even considered terminating his contract early, but the team managed to stay competitive without him, possibly delaying any decisions. Although Neymar has remained optimistic, his social media posts showing him back in training hint at a possible return in early September.

Can Neymar return to his prime? Aside from the uncertainty surrounding his recovery from such a significant injury, Neymar's off-field antics have often drawn criticism. During his time at PSG, he was notorious for violating medical advice during recovery periods, throwing lavish parties, and staying up late for gaming sessions. These habits undoubtedly slowed his recovery and frustrated the PSG management, who likely regretted investing in him.

Following his departure, PSG's director didn't hold back, stating, "We wanted Neymar gone as early as the summer of 2022, but no major club made a concrete offer." In other words, even though PSG offloaded Neymar, they did so with a sense of relief. It's worth noting that Neymar only managed a 54.7% appearance rate during his time at PSG, far from the consistency expected of a marquee player at a top club.

Despite Al-Hilal's financial might, it’s clear that Neymar has strayed from his original path. Early in his career at Santos, he racked up numerous accolades, including Best Newcomer, Best Forward, Best Player, the Brazilian Golden Ball, and South American Footballer of the Year. His time at Barcelona saw him score 105 goals in 168 matches, proving his worth as a global superstar. Fellow Brazilian legend Romário once said in 2014, "Neymar has everything to surpass Messi."

In his early career, Neymar was unstoppable, showered with praise and honors. But this adulation may have led him to overestimate his own influence. Breaking free from Messi’s shadow was a self-imposed challenge. His father, who encouraged his move to PSG for a lucrative contract, cited Neymar’s love for adventure and belief in his own potential to win the Ballon d’Or. In hindsight, this was perhaps a strategic move, leaving the door open for a potential return to Barcelona.

Neymar’s first season at PSG saw him crowned Ligue 1’s top assist provider and Player of the Year, but injuries quickly cast doubt on the €222 million transfer. Disputes with coach Unai Emery and penalty spot arguments with Edinson Cavani further tarnished his image. Over six seasons at PSG, Neymar spent over 700 days sidelined by injuries, never completing a full season. Despite not clashing with Mbappé over the lead role, his €30 million annual salary became a point of ridicule.

At 30, retiring early in Saudi Arabia isn’t shameful, but given the expectations of Neymar as Messi and Ronaldo’s successor, his choices have drawn both disappointment and disdain. Even Brazilian media admitted, "Neymar has become a source of entertainment." Ironically, just two months into his time at Al-Hilal, Neymar was reportedly already demanding the dismissal of coach Jorge Jesus after a public dressing-down.

As the physically fragile Neymar prepares to return, he needs more than just a strong body; he needs discipline and self-control. Whether his comeback will be a heroic redemption or another chapter in a cautionary tale remains to be seen.