Neymar returned to the World Cup as if nothing had happened: goals, assists, fantasies and a tribute to Pelé

It was on his debut against Serbia on Thursday 24 November when his right ankle neymar was violently dragged by Nikola Milenkovic. Richarlison’s 2-0 double took a back seat. Is that the PSG star limped off the pitch. He couldn’t hold back the tears when he sat on the substitutes’ bench and the yellow-green doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, did his first checks and put ice on him. Drama. It was believed that he would not play in the tournament again. It was thought that, perhaps, with great luck and the result of a healing miracle, he would get to play the decisive rounds.

The diagnosis was lapidary: lateral ankle ligament strain and bone edema. But more lapidary were the images that Neymar himself posted on his Instagram account. The inflammation showed a right foot not typical of one of the players called to be one of the figures of this World Cup. However, he followed medical recommendations and sessions with physiotherapists to the letter Neymar is officially back in Qatar 2022. He came back with everything.

Eleven days after that dramatic moment, the player decided to shorten his recovery time and take a chance. He didn’t want to miss the match against South Korea. And it was a good decision. Because team Tite had a festival at 974 stadiumthe one with the containers, the one that will no longer be needed in this World Cup and that will soon be dismantled with the idea of ​​transforming it into a traveling stadium.

If the affection heals, what dose did Ney receive, who made the stadium roar every time he made contact with the ball. He just needed to sign autographs when he went to one of the corners to kick a corner. In Messi mode.

How was it seen? As if nothing had happened to him. It is true that everything was facilitated because Brazil unlocked the duel too quickly against a South Korea that was not up to par beyond the occasional Alisson save and timid search for a useless second half. Is that the game has suddenly become an exhibition.

With a tiring pace, perhaps dosing energy and trying to avoid unnecessary contacts to take care of that battered ankle, Neymar started from a false 9, behind Richarlison and forming a three-way line with Vinicius Junior and Raphinha. He did what he wanted. And where he wanted With his unruly game he broke all structures. His disorder causes rivals to lose and his companions get tired of finding empty spaces.

The match opens quickly because after Vinicuis’s pearl, Neymar takes charge of the clumsy penalty awarded to Richarlison and in the 13th minute the story is 2-0. It’s over. It was his first goal in this tournament and he dedicated it to Alex Telles, one of his teammates who was out of the competition due to injury. Everyone applauded his gesture.

It was his 76th cry with verdeamarela to be one behind Pele in the race to be the top scorer in Brazilian history. It was also his seventh goal at the World Cup and he became the third player from his country to score in three different tournaments. The other members of the club: Pelé and Ronaldo, who have left their mark on four. He is 30 years old. He has a rope for a while.

Neymar, as if nothing had happened, it is insisted, was in charge of commanding all attacks against a fragile South Korean defense in his own way. True to his style, he never lost his joy. A brake, a feint. He tried to throw fantasies, even at one point he used the referee as a screen to get rid of a rival. Assist Richarlison in the fourth. And, of course, he choreographed all the dance parties in Brazil.

In the second part, like all of Brazil, it has chosen to save energy. It didn’t take much more. A few more pirouettes, a slalom to help Raphinha score. And not much else. With ten minutes to go, Tite decided to rest him and took him outside. Rodrigo entered. The function is over. If he missed or got there long enough, he could have served at half-time. Why risk it? If Brazil has to play again on Friday against Croatia a few hours before the duel between Argentina and the Netherlands.

Neymar’s latest? Already in flip flops, after the game and returned to the field. Together with Danilo, he carried a flag with the iconic image of Pelé in Mexico 1970. He carried it in the center circle and gathered all his teammates to pay their respects and send good vibes to O Rei.

And, as was said before, if love heals, how much strength must have come to one of the best in history from this 974 who has always kept him in mind.

Doha, Qatar. Special delivery.