Neymar to start for 1st time in over a YEAR 🤯 | OneFootball

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

The Santos game this Sunday (9) is only for the qualifying phase of the Campeonato Paulista.

But it generates great expectation, especially around Neymar's participation.

Against Novorizontino, the striker should be a starter in a match for the first time in over a year.

The last opportunity he started a game was 481 days ago, for the Brazilian National Team.

On October 17, 2023, Neymar was a starter in the World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay.

He had to leave the field before halftime due to a serious injury to his left knee.

Since then, he has been on the field only three times: twice for Al-Hilal and once for Santos, always coming off the bench.

In none of these games did he directly participate in a goal.

Al-Ain 4 x 5 Al-Hilal

October 21, 2024

Neymar came off the bench in the 32nd minute of the second half.

Al-Hilal 3 x 0 Esteghlal

November 4, 2024

Neymar came off the bench in the 13th minute of the second half.

He had to be substituted about half an hour later, with a rupture in the right thigh tendon.

Santos 1 x 1 Botafogo-SP

February 5, 2025

Neymar came off the bench at the start of the second half.

📸 NELSON ALMEIDA - AFP or licensors