Neymar’s Magical Return: A Corner Kick to Remember
Adriana Garcia
Feb 24, 2025, 04:57 AM ET
In the world of football, few players can captivate an audience quite like Neymar. The Brazilian superstar, known for his flair and creativity on the pitch, reminded everyone of his extraordinary talent with a stunning goal directly from a corner kick for Santos on Sunday. This moment of brilliance came during Santos’ 3-0 victory over Internacional de Limeira in the Paulista Championship, and it was so spectacular that even the opposition fans couldn’t help but cheer.
Let’s set the scene: It’s the 27th minute of the match, and Neymar steps up to take a corner kick from the left side. With a deft touch, he curls the ball in such a way that it catches the rival goalkeeper, Igo Gabriel, completely off guard. The ball gracefully arcs towards the far post, kisses it, and then finds its way into the back of the net. The crowd erupts, and Neymar’s magic is on full display once again.
Interestingly, Neymar had already made his presence felt earlier in the game. Despite being booed by the home crowd, he had assisted Tiquinho Soares from the same corner for the first goal of the match. Reflecting on the moment, Neymar shared, “I went to take the corner, they provoked me. I asked them to sing louder, I struck the ball and got an assist. Then, the second time I went there [to the corner], they did it again, so I thought to myself: ‘Now I’m the one who’s going to score the goal’ [laughs].”
And score he did. Neymar’s goal was his first “Olympic goal”—a term used to describe a goal scored directly from a corner kick. It was also his second goal in six appearances since returning to boyhood club Santos in January. This return to Santos marked a new chapter for Neymar, who signed a six-month contract with the club in an effort to regain his form after injuries had limited him to just seven appearances for his former club, Al Hilal, over the past 18 months.
As Neymar himself put it, “I’m going game by game, getting ready and feeling better on the field. I’m not going back to being 19 years old, how much I miss it, but I feel better and more relaxed.” At 33, Neymar is on a mission to prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
His performance on Sunday was not just about personal redemption; it was also about his aspirations to return to the national team. Neymar, who has not featured for Brazil since sustaining an ACL knee injury in October 2023, is eyeing a comeback for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Brazil coach Dorival Junior is set to announce his squad on March 7 for the matches against Colombia on March 20 and Argentina on March 25.
In Neymar’s own words, “Regarding the call-up, I’m there. Each player’s desire is to defend the country, and for me it has always been an honour. I dedicated myself to the team to the fullest. I enjoy being there, representing Brazil. If I have the opportunity to return, I will be very happy.” It’s clear that Neymar’s passion for representing Brazil remains as strong as ever.
As Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, Neymar’s potential return to the national team is eagerly anticipated by fans and pundits alike. His ability to change the course of a game with a single moment of brilliance is unmatched, and his recent performances for Santos suggest that he is well on his way to regaining his form.
- Neymar’s stunning goal from a corner kick was his first “Olympic goal.”
- He has scored two goals in six appearances since returning to Santos.
- Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals.
As we look ahead to the World Cup qualifiers, all eyes will be on Neymar and his potential impact on the Brazilian national team. Will he make the squad? Can he lead Brazil to victory once again? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Neymar’s magic is far from fading.
Originally Written by: Adriana Garcia
