Neymar's incredible decline

A video clip showing Neymar chasing the ball during a match between Santos and Novorizontino is causing a stir on social media.

Neymar's decline is unbelievable. Photo: Reuters .

In a clip that went viral after Santos' 1-2 defeat to Novorizontino on February 23rd, Neymar was seen chasing the ball near the touchline but failing to catch it. That moment shocked fans, making them realize how seriously injuries and age have affected the top star of Brazilian football.

Gone are the graceful bursts of speed that were once his trademark; Neymar's runs appear heavy and sluggish, causing many fans to worry about his declining fitness.

On social media, many comments expressed regret. Some said they could have run faster than Neymar in that situation, while many fans admitted they were "very sad to see their idol looking like he's past his prime."

Neymar looked sluggish as he accelerated.

In that same match, Neymar also made a direct error with a misplaced pass, leading to Santos conceding a goal. The 1-2 defeat resulted in his team being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Sao Paulo State Championship. The former PSG star himself did not score or provide any assists in the 90 minutes of play.

Neymar's poor performance comes at a time when he is striving to secure a place in the Brazilian squad for the 2026 World Cup under coach Carlo Ancelotti. The tournament is only a few months away, but the former PSG star has yet to show signs of readiness.

At 34, Neymar was once considered one of the best players of his generation, on par with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, his career declined after a serious injury while playing for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Neymar has consistently struggled with fitness issues, making only seven appearances in two years in Saudi Arabia. The most serious injury was a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while playing for Brazil in 2023, which marked the beginning of a long series of recurring knee injuries.

In early 2025, Neymar returned to Santos hoping to regain his form and best physical condition. However, injuries and inconsistent performance have prevented him from meeting fans' expectations. This erratic performance is also directly threatening Neymar's World Cup qualification.

Neymar suffers horrific foul: On the morning of February 16th, Neymar appeared to be in pain after being tackled dangerously by an opponent during Santos' 6-0 victory over Velo Clube in the Paulistao league.

Source: https://znews.vn/neymar-xuong-doc-kho-tin-post1629791.html