After being away from the fields for over a year, Neymar made his much-expected return, with the attention of the soccer world fixed upon him. The wait came to an end this Monday (21st), in the incredible victory of Al Hilal 5-4 over Al Ain in the AFC Champions League. But the real question is: what does this comeback truly mean to global soccer and to Neymar himself?
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Obvious story of triumphant return aside, there is so much more at play here. Neymar carries with him a load of expectation from millions of fans around the world, the weight of a career burdened with injury after injury, and the ever-present question about the legacy he will leave behind in the sport.
The Triumphant Return
This big return had been due with much anticipation and excitement. Coming into the game in the second half at the 31st minute, number 10 for Al Hilal almost scored on his first touch of the ball, which would have made for that perfect cinematic moment. Without the goal, though, his mere presence was what the fans had waited for. Neymar brought with him that unmistakable energy that seemed to be missing from soccer while he went through his long recovery.
The international media celebrated the return of Neymar. Spain's As headlined: "Neymar's magic return after a year away." Obvious is the fact that Neymar is full of much more than just cold stats of goals and assists. He's that kind of player who changes the texture of the match that is carried with an expectation at any moment something special might happen.
Santos and FIFA: Paying Homage to the Idol
Santos, the club where Neymar was raised, didn't miss the opportunity to pay tribute to their "Eternal Menino da Vila." The message from the club has represented what many fans from all over the world think: Neymar means the same as happiness in the soccer field. And true. He, more than a star or a genius, has always been someone who, despite controversies, brings back only pure entertainment and joy to the game.
That triumphing moment was also underlined by FIFA, who began Neymar's renewed importance to football as a whole. There would seem to be one thing on which everybody is agreed: football is more enjoyable when Neymar is on the pitch. And that mere truism holds a lot of weight in meaning. In a sport that seems increasingly reductionist in its reliance on strict method and pragmatism, the swearing of a player whose mere presence promises unpredictability and inspiration borders on the imperative.
Recovery: Surviving the Nightmare
His one-year absence wasn't just about physical recovery, but about rebuilding his psyche. Since the ACL tear in his left knee, the road to recovery has been filled with question marks. How many players have we seen, after injuries of such serious nature, never find their way back? Will Neymar break the trend?
The Catalan press underlined, not surprisingly, the "ordeal" Neymar had to endure. And rightly so. Neymar underwent a delicate surgery and months of rehabilitation with the always incredible pressure for his return to the pitches. The question everybody is asking now, though, is whether he can find at 31 years old again the level which once made him one of the best in the world.
To many, Neymar remains an enigma. At his best, he seems untouchable. Yet, the frequent injuries and controversies that have often plagued his off-field activities have always brought into question how far he could go. But one thing has been made certain: Neymar hasn't lost his will to prove himself.
What About Neymar's Global Legacy?
It's always a complicated discussion. On the one hand, Neymar's numbers place him as one of the best Brazilians of all time; on the other hand, his career has oscillated between highs and lows, from physical form to poor choices in his career. And the spell in Paris Saint-Germain raised doubts about his ambition of being the best in the world-so what to expect now from the market, the least traditional, which is Asian soccer?
The answer might be in how Neymar approaches this comeback. A beaming smile on the field during a match against Al Ain showed that he still loves the game. And for a player of his caliber, perhaps that is the most important thing: soccer defines who Neymar is, and to get back to doing what he loves-even after a year away-is the victory he has been pursuing.