Neymar's psychological shock

Neymar is going through a difficult period.

Speaking on January 4th, Neymar Sr. said: "The boy fell into a state of depression. People said Neymar wouldn't play football anymore this year, and that completely crushed him."

Neymar rejoined Santos with high expectations, aiming to regain his fitness, maintain his playing rhythm, and prepare for the 2026 World Cup. However, the Brazilian star's journey to recovery in 2025 was repeatedly interrupted by persistent injuries, at times even leading him to consider giving up his professional football career.

Throughout the 2025 season, Neymar suffered a series of muscle problems, forcing him to miss more than 20 Santos matches. However, the biggest shock came towards the end of the season, when Neymar sustained a meniscus injury in his knee, forcing him to take a long break from playing.

What devastated Neymar wasn't just the injury, but also the fact that this information leaked to the media before he received official confirmation from the doctor. News reports claiming Neymar would be sidelined until 2026 were rampant, dealing a severe blow to the already fragile mental state of the former PSG star.

Neymar suffered a psychological shock. Photo: Reuters .

According to Neymar's father, he and the Santos coaching staff always try to control Neymar's playing time, but it's almost impossible.

"He doesn't know how to conserve his energy. He's always dropping deep in his own half, demanding the ball, and playing with a fierce spirit. The only way to control Neymar is to keep him off the pitch," he shared.

In a private conversation at home, Neymar once told his father that he "couldn't take it anymore," even questioning whether surgery would even make sense. That was the moment Neymar was very close to deciding to end his playing career.

Faced with this situation, Neymar's father chose a gentle but decisive approach, guiding his son towards the ultimate goal: the 2026 World Cup. He emphasized that only a few months remained until the crucial moment, and Neymar could not let negative voices from outside discourage him. That conversation proved to be a turning point.

Despite the risks, Neymar decided to return to training with his knee carefully bandaged. He pushed himself, endured the pain, and gradually regained his feel for the ball. This risky return later helped Santos successfully avoid relegation thanks to Neymar's emotional performances.

Neymar shines: On the morning of November 29th, Neymar shone in a crucial match, helping Santos win 3-0 against Recife to temporarily escape the relegation zone in round 36 of the Brazilian National Championship.

Source: https://znews.vn/cu-soc-tam-ly-cua-neymar-post1616824.html