Neymar answered his critics in emphatic fashion on Thursday night, scoring twice to power Santos to a 2–1 league victory over Vasco da Gama and reigniting talk of a possible return to Brazil’s World Cup squad.
The 34-year-old winger, who had not found the net since December, delivered when it mattered most, ending months of frustration following his recovery from knee surgery.
The brace marked a significant step in his gradual return to top form after a lengthy injury layoff.
Before the match, questions had swirled around his sharpness and relevance, with critics pointing to his goal drought and fitness concerns. But Neymar was quick to respond after the final whistle.
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“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.
“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, sidelined by a series of injuries that disrupted his rhythm and availability.
National team coach Carlo Ancelotti has maintained that only players who are fully fit and “100% game-ready” will be considered for selection a benchmark Neymar is still striving to meet.
The World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States from June 11 to July 19.
