Neymars Return to Santos Turns Tense Amid Club Struggles

Neymar’s comeback to Santos has been rocky. Despite 14 appearances since returning from Al Hilal, he’s faced injuries, criticism from the media, and now fan tension after a 2-1 loss to Internacional. With Santos sitting 17th in the league, frustrations are rising. Neymar signed a short-term deal aiming to regain form before the 2026 World Cup.

After the emotional return of Neymar to his boyhood club Santos, things have taken a difficult turn for the Brazilian star. Following a season plagued by injuries and a short-lived spell in Saudi Arabia, Neymar signed a contract with Santos until the end of 2025, hoping to rediscover his best form and help the club succeed. However, his comeback has been overshadowed by poor results and growing tension. Santos currently sits 17th in the Brazilian Serie A, winning just four of 15 games.

A recent 2-1 defeat to Internacional saw Neymar clash angrily with a fan post-match, requiring teammates to intervene. The situation highlights the rising frustration within the club and among supporters. Neymar, despite flashes of quality, has struggled for consistency, missing regular minutes due to a thigh injury and lacking match sharpness.

In earlier matches, he criticised the quality of the match ball and delivered underwhelming performances, losing possession often and failing to make decisive impacts. While manager Pedro Caixinha remains optimistic about Neymar's gradual improvement, Brazilian media have been critical, calling his displays "discreet" and "poor." Neymar remains hopeful, citing his deep connection to Santos and desire to fulfil unfinished dreams, but the pressure is mounting on both him and the struggling club.