Let’s not forget Neymar was close to joining MLS this year…
Neymar Jr.’s highly-anticipated return to Brazil has already wrapped the 32-year-old into controversy, with the former Paris Saint-Germain attacker leading the charge among Brazilian Série A players opposing the use of artificial turf for league matches, demanding natural grass instead.
Neymar turf protest: demands natural grass stadiums in Brazil
Neymar made his grand return to his boyhood club Santos on Wednesday playing his first game in three months after injuries ended his time with Al Hilal. Neymar came on in the second half for Santos and was immediately greeted by taking a ball to the nether regions.
Wednesday’s Paulistão match was also Neymar’s 33rd birthday. He received a standing ovation from the home fans in the Vila Belmiro when he was brought into the game.
Neymar was then rocked in the peanuts just seconds later.
Neymar hit in balls 1 minute into Santos return
Brazil forward Neymar will return to his boyhood club Santos from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, he posted on social media on Thursday.
Neymar, 32, joined Al-Hilal from Paris St Germain for a reported $93.8 million in 2023 but he managed only seven appearances for them after suffering a serious knee injury.
Neymar Santos transfer
Pelé's former club Santos were relegated for the first time in their 111-year history on Wednesday following a 2-1 home loss to Fortaleza in the final round of Brazil's Serie A.
The costal city team were one of three clubs, along with Sao Paulo and Flamengo, never to have been relegated from Brazil's top flight but a woeful run of five games without a victory saw them drop to 17th in the standings with 43 points.
America Mineiro, Coritiba and Goias had already been assured of relegation from the 20-team division.
Brazilian phenom Marcos Leonardo scored a ridiculous goal for his club Santos on Friday that was SportsCenter Top 10 material. Unfortunately for him the goal was called back for offside.
With Santos leading Coritiba FC late in the second half, Leonardo put on a show as he smoothly controlled the ball with his chest, dinked it over an opponent and smashed it by the goalkeeper.
What a move from the 20-year-old.
SANTOS, Brazil - Emotional crowds bid Brazil soccer legend Pelé a final farewell on Tuesday, lining the streets of Santos to watch his coffin taken to its final resting place from the city's stadium where 230,000 mourners had filed past his open casket.
Young and old embraced as the funeral procession wound its way through the costal city's streets for hours, with some fans in tears and others cheering and drumming for a national hero who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history.
SANTOS, Brazil - The Brazilian coastal city of Santos, which sporting giant Pelé turned into a byword for soccer brilliance during a glittering club career, prepared to bid goodbye to its hero on Monday with a 24-hour wake.
A memorial will be held for Pelé, who died on Thursday at the age of 82 after battling colon cancer, at the Vila Belmiro stadium, the home of Santos Football Club.
"The expectation is huge, the whole world will be here," said local fan Roberto Santos. "Pelé needs no presentation. Pelé for us is everything."
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé, ha muerto hoy a los 82 años.
Para muchos, O Rei fue el mejor jugador en la historia del fútbol, por lo que su partida deja un legado difícil de borrar entre quienes aman el deporte.
Pelé alcanzó la fama apenas con 17 años, al convertirse en una de las estrellas con que Brasil obtuvo el Mundial de 1958. Y de ahí en adelante seguiría escribiendo historia con letras doradas.
Pelé, the magical Brazilian soccer star who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history, died at the age of 82, his daughter said on Instagram on Thursday.
He had been in and out of hospital in recent months after a tumor was found on his colon.
Pelé.
The mere mention of the name conjures grainy, black-and-white footage of a bright-eyed young man announcing his arrival on the world stage in Sweden. Of a triumphant, shirtless star carried off the pitch at the Azteca. Of a smiling veteran bringing the beautiful game to a new audience. Of a septuagenarian snacking on a Subway sandwich with swimming stud Michael Phelps.
Of the greatest footballer to ever walk the earth.
Pelé.