Neymar’s Full 90-Minute Comeback After 500 Days Ends with a Stunning Olympic Goal
Before last night, when was the last time Neymar played a full 90-minute match? If someone tried to count back the days, they might give up halfway in frustration.
But Brazilian media outlet O Globo did the hard work and determined the exact date—October 12, 2023. On that day, Neymar last played a full match in a 1-1 draw against Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier. That means Sunday marked 500 days since his last complete game.
And on that very night, Neymar finally played a full match again, this time for Santos. But just playing wouldn’t be enough for a player of his caliber. In the Campeonato Paulista match against Internacional de Limeira, Neymar not only completed the full 90 minutes but also scored an unbelievable Olympic goal in Santos’ 3-0 victory.
In the 27th minute, as some fans jeered him, Neymar silenced them with a moment of brilliance—scoring directly from a corner kick. His curling shot hit the far post and went straight into the net.
A goal scored directly from a corner is known as an Olympic Goal. The term dates back to 1924 when Argentine striker Cesáreo Onzari scored such a goal against then-Olympic champions Uruguay in a friendly match. Since then, the name has stuck.
Neymar’s celebration after the goal was just as eye-catching. He paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo by sitting on the advertising board—recreating the Portuguese superstar’s iconic goal celebration.
Since his return to Brazil, this was Neymar’s sixth match for Santos, and he now has two goals and three assists—two of those assists coming in last night’s game. After such a memorable performance, fans can only hope to see Neymar’s magic continue in the coming days.
