After a turbulent spell in Saudi Arabia, Neymar has made his much-anticipated return to Santos, the club where his journey to football stardom began.
The 33-year-old forward, who previously shone for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, rejoined his boyhood club in late January following a mutual contract termination with Al-Hilal, bringing an end to a disappointing stint in the Middle East.
While Neymar’s homecoming has been met with excitement, his early performances have been a mixed bag. After a challenging first match, he found his rhythm in a recent 3-1 victory, contributing a goal and an assist.
However, beyond regaining form, Neymar has also taken up an off-field battle—leading a movement to eliminate synthetic pitches from Brazilian football.
Neymar, alongside several high-profile Brazilian players, has launched a campaign calling for the removal of synthetic pitches from Serie A stadiums. Thiago Silva, Memphis Depay, and Philippe Coutinho have all echoed the same concerns, sharing a strong message on Instagram criticizing the use of artificial turf.
The joint statement reads: “It’s worrying to see the direction Brazilian football is taking. It’s absurd that we have to discuss synthetic grass on our pitches.”
“Objectively, with the size and representativeness of our football, this shouldn’t even be an option. The solution to a bad pitch is to make a good pitch, simple as that. In the most respected leagues in the world, the players are listened to and investments are made to ensure the quality of the pitch in the stadiums. It’s about offering quality for those who play and watch.”
“If Brazil wants to play a leading role in the world football market, the first step should be to demand the quality of the pitch on which the players play and train. PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL IS NOT PLAYED ON SYNTHETIC TURF!”
Artificial turf has been a controversial topic in football for years. Many players argue that it increases the risk of injuries, affects ball movement, and makes the game less natural compared to real grass.
Top leagues in Europe, including the Premier League and La Liga, have largely avoided synthetic surfaces, investing heavily in high-quality natural grass pitches instead.
Neymar’s frustration likely stems from his own experiences, as he looks to stay fit and in peak condition ahead of his ultimate goal—representing Brazil at the 2026 World Cup in North America.