Many beleive that Neymar Jr. might be standing at the staring at the end of his illustrious career. But, is this truly the case? The Brazilian superstar has dazzled football fans for over a decade, but his magic seems to be fading away. He recently made his return to the pitch as an Al Hilal player following a long-term injury.
However, in a cruel twist of fate, his comeback was cut short when he suffered yet another injury, raising concerns about his ability to remain at the top level of the sport.
Neymar Jr. Returns to Football After More Than a Year
Neymar Jr. made his return to the pitch a gruelling 369 days after picking up a long-term injury. However, his joy of returning to action did not last long. On November 4, misfortune struck once more as he sustained another injury during an AFC Champions League match.
The 32-year-old came on as a substitute in the 58th minute but was forced off in the 87th minute due to injury, unable to carry on due to the pain. It was a significant blow for both Neymar and the Al Hilal faithful.
Almost two months after the injury Al-Hilal and Neymar announced that they have mutually decided to terminate the contract. The Brazillian joined his childhood club Santos afterwards, where he became a global sensation before moving to Europe.
Ending his contract with Al Hilal, which is set to run until the summer, would see Neymar relinquish roughly $65 million. However, according to ESPN sources, Neymar could potentially recoup a portion of that sum by partnering with his father, Neymar Santos Sr., in an investment fund that includes shares in his boyhood club, Santos.
Is This the End?
Although there was speculation about a potential move to MLS side Chicago Fire FC, Neymar opted to return to Brazil to rebuild his form and strengthen his bid for a spot on the national team.
The 32-year-old faced a difficult stint at Al Hilal after signing with the Saudi club from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023 for $97.6 million. His time in Saudi Arabia was marred by injuries, including a torn ACL in his left knee sustained during international duty and a hamstring issue that restricted him to just seven appearances. Neymar managed to score only once, finding the net in an AFC Champions League match.
Despite the challenges, Neymar continues to be one of football’s brightest stars. His golden era with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at Barcelona (2013-2017) brought him a UEFA Champions League title, two LaLiga championships, and three Copa del Rey trophies. Following that, his time at PSG saw him claim five Ligue 1 titles along with multiple domestic cups.
Regaining top form may prove an uphill battle for Neymar, given his age and extensive injury history. At 32, he is entering a stage of his career where physical recovery becomes increasingly challenging, particularly after suffering multiple serious injuries.
While many players have extended their careers into their mid-to-late 30s, adapting their roles to suit declining physical attributes, Neymar’s style of play doesn’t lend itself as easily to such a transformation. Unlike forwards who thrive on aerial ability or positional play, Neymar’s game has always been centred on creativity and unpredictability, which rely heavily on peak physical condition.
So, perhaps we have already seen the best of Neymar, and what lies ahead is the epilogue of a career that could have been even more remarkable.
