After a long spell on the sidelines due to injury, Brazilian star Neymar finally made his return to the pitch in the second leg of the third round of the Copa do Brasil, facing CRB. The match, held early Friday (May 23), saw Neymar starting on the bench before being subbed on in the 66th minute by Santos head coach Kleber Xavier.
However, Neymar’s much-anticipated comeback didn’t go as planned. After a 1–1 draw in the first leg, the second leg also ended goalless, pushing the match into a penalty shootout. Neymar successfully converted his penalty, but Santos ultimately lost 5–4, exiting the tournament in heartbreak.
Speaking after the match, a disappointed Neymar shared: “I know that when I step on the pitch, things change. I can make a difference in just 20 or 25 minutes. But it can’t all depend on me. Everyone knows the situation we’re in, and if we want to get out of it, all the players need to take responsibility.”
Neymar’s short-term contract with Santos is set to expire on June 30, and when asked about his future plans, the 32-year-old replied: “I still don’t know.”
