Neymar step on a pitch this Thursday after more than a month of leave due to injury, but his expected return could not avoid the elimination of Santos. The Paulista team fell to the CRB in the penalty shootout (5-4) After drawing without goals in the regulatory time, and said goodbye to the DO Brasil Cup in the final sixteen.
The former player of PSG and Barcelona He entered the 65th minute of the match, played at the stadium King Pelébut showed discreet performance. Despite turning its penalty into the definition, it was the modest CRB, team of the Second Division, who achieved a historical classification.
The defeat was a hard blow for both the club and for Neymar himself, which was the target of hurtful songs by the local fans. While offering an interview on the field, from the stands were heard shouts of “¡Santos the second, saints the second!”, A painful reminder of the delicate moment of the team, which occupies the penultimate on the Brazilian league after four losses in its last five games.
Neymar tried to maintain the composure, but when leaving the field he could not avoid an angry reaction: he turned to the stands, kissed the Saints shield and sent CRB fans to shut up. His frustration was evident, not only because of the result, but also for doubts about his future. Asked about a possible renewal of his contract – which expires in July – the Brazilian responded with a brief: “Don't know”.
The Brazilian star had been separated since mid -April for discomfort in the left thigh suffered in an encounter against Atlético Mineiro, the second injury of the season. Nor could he go to the last call of the Brazilian team, now led by Carlo Ancelotti.
His return to Santos, With a six -month contract, he had generated great expectation. But the situation of the team and external pressure have made the return, for now, be far from being the happy story that many imagined.
