Neymar’s lack of goals recently have given his critics plenty of ammunition to write him off but the winger ended his drought in style with a double in Santos’ 2-1 league win over Vasco da Gama.
The performance will certainly boost the hopes of the football star making the World Cup squad of Brazil.
Before Thursday’s game, the 34-year-old last scored in December and after recently returning from knee surgery, he is still working towards peak fitness.
“Last week they said I was the worst player in the world. Today I scored two goals, and that’s what matters,” Neymar told SporTV.
“That’s football. One day you’re no good or you’re ‘retired’; the next, people say you have to go to the World Cup.
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“This was my third game of the year and only my second full 90 minutes. I felt some cramping at the end, but that’s just part of the process.”
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer has not featured for the national team since October 2023 amid a horror run of injuries and coach Carlo Ancelotti has said he will only pick players who are 100 percent game-ready.
The World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America from June 11, 2026 to July 19, 2026.
Reuters/NAN.
