Back on the pitch after a two-month absence, Neymar completely botched his return: "He did absolutely nothing, he's a disgrace!"

And the hoped-for redemption has vanished. On Sunday, in a Maracana packed with 70,000 Flamengo fans, 33-year-old Neymar wanted to present Brazil with his bid for the 2026 World Cup. While the Seleção was in London, where they will face Senegal on Saturday, the Santos number 10 hoped to show his best form, two months after his last start. But nothing has changed. Still skillful with the ball, he is unbearable with the referees, his coaching staff, and his teammates , from whom he seems to have cut himself off.

“You have to give me the ball in the final third. It’s our only chance to score,” he dared to say at halftime. Yet it was after he was substituted in the 85th minute that Santos, trailing 3-0, almost pulled one back (3-2). Both goals were scored by Robinho’s son, and Neymar didn’t celebrate them as he had already gone back to the dressing room.

"He's been replaced and he has the nerve to complain ," criticized Neto, former Corinthians star turned pundit. "But he hasn't done a thing, he's shameful! Santos will be relegated (to Serie B) and it will be Neymar and his president's (Marcelo Teixeira) fault."

With five matchdays remaining and a challenging schedule (Santos must host league leaders Palmeiras, Mirassol in 4th place, and Cruzeiro in 3rd), Neymar faces a new challenge. He must save his boyhood club from relegation to convince Carlo Ancelotti to offer him a place in the squad for the 2026 World Cup.

"It remains to be seen whether Neymar has the will to work to regain his physique, as Ronaldo did in 2002."

“Since Brazil has a shortage of number 9s, we will probably need a false 9. Matheus Cunha and Neymar could take turns in this role ,” believes Marcelo Courrege, a reporter for TV Globo. “It remains to be seen whether Neymar has the will to work to regain his physique, as Ronaldo did in 2002.”

Even though his staff regularly posts clips showing him sweating with Ricardo Rosa, his physical trainer, his progress isn't obvious. Fragile, short of breath, and hampered by injuries (a torn ACL in November 2023 and a thigh injury in September 2025), he seems to crumble at the slightest contact. With such a poor record (3 goals and 7 yellow cards in 15 league matches), the fans have turned their backs on him, as seen at the Maracanã where he was booed several times. Faced with the criticism, he posted a photo of Kobe Bryant, an apostle of rigor and discipline, to his 231 million Instagram followers. Yet, according to several sources, his daily life at Santos is far removed from the "Black Mamba mentality."

Ancelotti knows this. While he appreciates seeing Neymar closer to goal, he hasn't ruled anything out and is waiting for a reaction from the former PSG player, who has until March 2026 to regain his credibility. "Everyone wants to see Neymar back in better physical condition. The CBF, the national team coach, the technical staff..." the Italian listed in an interview with Placar magazine. As for the players, they still seem to believe. Like veterans Denilson and Felipe Melo, who are asking for a little patience. Or Casemiro, who pleaded his case this weekend: "If Neymar is in good physical and mental shape, we can't do without him. He can make the difference at any moment."