Neymar’s long awaited comeback has been kicked down the road once more. Santos have reportedly decided to rest their 34 year old magician for Thursday’s Brasileirao clash with Athletico Paranaense, not because he’s crocked, but because the daft pitch at Arena da Baixada is made of plastic.
The former Barcelona and PSG superstar has not played a competitive minute since December 7. That’s over two months without kicking a ball in anger. He’s training, he’s fit, he’s ready, but Santos are bricking it. Synthetic surface? No Neymar. Simple as that.
According to Globo Esporte, the club have made skipping turf games an official policy since last season. Back in November, with Santos scrapping to avoid the drop, Neymar watched from the sidelines as his side lost 2-0 at Palmeiras’ Allianz Parque. Another plastic pitch, another Neymar shaped hole in the team sheet.
The same applies to Gabriel Barbosa, who’s also ruled out with muscle soreness. Two marquee names, zero goals, one draw and a defeat to open the Brasileirao campaign. Not ideal.
Neymar underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in December and has been building up slowly. He’s now training fully with the squad. But Santos are treading on eggshells. The fear? One mistimed tackle on that unforgiving surface and the whole project unravels.
His return is now pencilled in for Sunday, February 15 at home, on grass, against Velo Clube in the Paulista. Assuming the pitch passes inspection, obviously.
Can Neymar force his way back into Brazil’s plans?
The bigger picture here is the Selecao. Carlo Ancelotti is watching. Brazil face France and Croatia in the United States during the March international window. It’s been over two years since Neymar last pulled on the famous yellow shirt.
The clock is ticking.
Santos have six matches between now and the March 22 clash with Cruzeiro, the last game before Ancelotti names his squad. Velo Clube, Vasco, Mirassol, Corinthians, Internacional, and that Cruzeiro fixture. Six opportunities. Six auditions.
But here’s the problem: Neymar needs minutes. He needs rhythm. He needs to prove his body and his head are still at the level required for international football. Sitting out games on plastic pitches might be sensible long term, but it does nothing for his match sharpness right now.
Ancelotti wants to see him playing, not just training. At 34, with a history of soft tissue nightmares, Neymar cannot afford to be handled like porcelain forever.
The Santos faithful have waited patiently. They’ve seen their prodigal son drag them clear of relegation, seen him flash that otherworldly talent in brief, brilliant bursts. Now they want him on the pitch not wrapped in cotton wool.
Sunday feels like a line in the sand. If Neymar doesn’t feature against Velo Clube, questions will rightly be asked. Is he actually fit? Is there something we’re not being told? Or have Santos simply decided the risk is no longer worth the reward?
Either way, the countdown to March is on. Neymar’s Brazil career deserves a proper ending, not a whimper on an artificial pitch in Curitiba. But first, he’s got to actually play.
