Neymar scored one goal, made one assist, and led Santos to a 3-0 win while playing through injury.
A player gets injured once in a while. But for Neymar, it has been the opposite. It now feels surprising when this forward stays fit. In the last few years, he has spent most of his time off the field because of unfortunate injuries. This time, he became the hero of his team’s win while still carrying an injury.
In the Brazilian Série A, Santos drew 1-1 with Internacional on 25 November. Before that match, the former Al Hilal star suffered a meniscus injury in his left knee. Afterward, Santos announced that Neymar would not be able to play again this year. Several media outlets in the country also reported the same.
Brazil’s top news outlet Globo reported that the Santos management, doctors, and Neymar’s personal staff told him to stay away from football. But he ignored everyone and returned to training. Now he has returned to the field as well.
Santos had no choice but to win against Sport to avoid relegation in the Brazilian Série A. In such a tough moment, Neymar did not look at his injury. Santos got the reward. With his brilliant performance, they won 3-0 and moved out of immediate relegation danger. Neymar scored one goal and provided one assist on their way to all three points.
At their home ground Vila Belmiro, Santos went ahead in the 25th minute through Neymar. He found the net with a curling shot from a pass by Guilherme Augusto. In the 36th minute, an own goal increased the hosts’ lead. In the 67th minute, João Schmidt sealed the win with a header from Neymar’s corner.
