The cliché has its exceptions, but this time it is true. Neymar's return to Santos seems to be doomed to fail. He is far from a satisfactory conclusion of his story.
The team stands together for the front place in the Brasileirão table, after he had earned only five points of nine matches one of them was a victory. The only team that does worse is Sport Recife, which remains profitless with just two points.
Santos were eliminated in the disappointment in the round of 32 of the Copa do Brasil by CRB, a team from the B. Both legs ended in parable before Santos finally lost on penalties.
The season now feels like a desperate attempt to prevent a second relegation – a blow that would attack a club that would reach the final of the Copa Libertadores not long ago. After having already had the first relegation in their history in 2023, a second – coinciding with Neymar's return – would be a stunning fall out of favor.
Neymar's uncertain future
On a personal level, Neymar continues to fight against the injuries that have plagued him in recent seasons. In the Copa do Brasil he returned to the field after more than a month out – the second injury has since returned to Brazil.
He only succeeded in it for 30 minutes and could not prevent the team's defeat. After the game, when he was asked about his future and the struggles of the team, he delivered two clear messages.
With his contract that ends on 30 June, and knowing – as he is often admitted – that the club is going through its darkest chapter, Neymar opened its future wide. “At the moment I don't know,” he said when he was asked about a possible renewal. A statement as uncertain as it is.
And with three official games left – against Vitória, Botafogo and Fortaleza – he comes closer to a possible farewell.
He also offered a subtle criticism: “I know it is different with me. In 20 or 25 minutes I can make a difference. I know I can help my teammates. This is the first game that I came back to after a long time, but it cannot all depend on me. Everyone knows the situation in which we are in. We need all the players,” he concluded. A memory that he is still looking for full fitness – and that the clock is ticking as decisions about his future loom increasingly closer.