Santos Coach Confident in Neymar Despite Recent Struggles

Santos’ head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda has expressed unwavering confidence in Neymar despite recent performance criticisms. The Brazilian forward faced scrutiny after a lackluster showing in a crucial match against Novorizontino.

Neymar’s Performance Against Novorizontino

The game took place on Sunday and ended with Santos suffering a 2-1 defeat, leading to their elimination from the Campeonato Paulista quarterfinals. Neymar played the entire match, marking his second appearance following a minor left knee surgery on December 22. However, he struggled on the field and made a defensive mistake that contributed to Novorizontino’s first goal.

Coach’s Confidence in Neymar

Despite the setbacks, Vojvoda highlighted the positives from Neymar’s performance. “Neymar is in great physical shape,” he stated, emphasizing that the player completed all training sessions. This match was Neymar’s first full 90 minutes of the year, signaling a potential recovery in form.

“I have a lot of confidence in him. His game will flow and evolve game by game,” Vojvoda added, stressing his responsibility to maintain the player’s confidence. He expressed faith in Neymar’s ability to motivate his teammates and push himself to achieve the goals he has set for Santos and the national team.

Neymar’s Goals Ahead

Neymar, now 34 years old, played a pivotal role in helping Santos avoid relegation last season. The forward, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, is determined to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup squad.

Injuries have sidelined him from the national team since October 2023, placing additional importance on his recovery and performance at Santos. The team and fans alike await his return to form as they hope for success in future competitions.