(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Neymar Shines as Santos Defeat Juventude 3-1 in Brazilian League Showdown
Sao Paulo, August 4, 2025 — Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. delivered a stellar performance Monday night, scoring twice in Santos FC’s 3-1 victory over EC Juventude, lifting the club out of the relegation zone in Matchday 18 of the Brazilian Championship.
Playing at the iconic Morumbis Stadium, Neymar scored his first brace since returning to Brazilian football, including a well-placed penalty, in a match that drew the attention of top representatives from the Brazilian national team, including executive coordinator Rodrigo Caetano and technical manager Juan.
The scouts were tasked by national team coach Carlo Ancelotti to evaluate Neymar as he fights for a place in Brazil’s squad for the final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Already qualified, Brazil will face Chile at the Maracana on September 4, followed by an away match against Bolivia in La Paz on September 9.
Also in attendance was Brazil’s national team physical trainer, Cristiano Nunes, whose key focus was Neymar’s match fitness after an injury-plagued return to Santos earlier this year. Neymar exceeded expectations by completing another full match, contributing not only two goals but also demonstrating stamina, pace, and involvement in defensive plays.
Tactical Brilliance and Leadership
Neymar’s presence was felt in every offensive play, directly contributing to all three goals scored by Santos. His performance also included deep pressing and involvement in building plays from the midfield.
However, the match wasn’t without controversy. Neymar received a yellow card following a heated exchange with Juventude players—a reminder of his emotional style of play.
Despite this, the crowd honored Neymar as the standout player of the match, applauding his leadership, energy, and decisive goals that temporarily lifted Santos FC out of the relegation zone.
This win offers a fresh start for Santos as they look to climb the league table, while Neymar’s resurgent form adds excitement to Brazil’s national squad preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
