Fans are left SHOCKED by Neymar’s miserable stats from his first start since rejoining boyhood club Santos
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Santos fans were left shocked by Neymar’s poor performance since the return to his boyhood club in January.
The Brazilian arrived at the Urbano Caldeira Stadium after terminating his £130-million-per-year contract with Al-Hilal.
The 33-year-old winger made only seven appearances and scored one goal during his one-and-a-half season at the Saudi Pro League side due to an ACL injury.
In order to regain his top form, Neymar returned to his boyhood club, where he played until 2013 before his move to Barcelona.
However, despite a promising transfer of one of the club’s legends, Santos fans were left disappointed by a poor performance by the Brazilian in his first games since the highly anticipated return.
Furthermore, in his first start in over a year between Santos and Novorizontino, the winger lost 24 balls and only one successful dribble out of his eight attempts during 75 minutes on the pitch.
Fans were left shocked by Neymar’s poor performance in his first start since returning to Brazilian side Santos
The 33-year-old lost the ball 24 times and had only one successful dribble out of eight attemps against Novorizontino
The game on Sunday was Neymar’s first start in over a year after a long recovery from an ACL injury
Even his 79 per cent of successful passes were far from the standards he set during his time at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazilian won four out of 16 ground duels and only one aerial duel.
However, in 2011, Neymar was a crucial player for Santos’ Copa Libertadores triumph, scoring in the final’s second leg against Uruguayan team Penarol.
After years spent in Europe and the Middle East, he emotionally returned to the Serie B club with a six-month contract to regain his top form for the 2026 World Cup.
Santos president Marcelo Teixeira was particularly pleased to see Neymar in his team again.
On his social media channels, he said: ‘Welcome, our boy Ney! A boy of Vila (Belmiro, Santos’ stadium). Come back to be happy again with the white and black shirt. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms.’
However, after two dissapointing performances, fans have appeared to slam Neymar on social media.
One of them wrote: ‘He should end his football career. He can’t play anymore,’ while another added: ‘Ney has nothing left. For sale’
Fans slammed Neymar following his disastrous stats in the 0-0 draw at the Jorjão stadium
Hinting at Neymar’s contract with Al-Hilal, another added: ‘I hope he plays for free I understand why they cut his contract in Saudi Arabia’
One wrote: ‘It’s been years since it’s finished’
Last week, according to Brazilian outlet, news emerged that Neymar is commuting to training sessions via a custom helicopter because the 33-year-old still has not bought a property in Santos.
The winger is yet to purchase a new mansion in Morro de Santa Terezinha, a prestigious area in Santos.
However, he currently travels around 500km from his Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro residence.
