Estevao shines, Neymar declines ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Estevao scored 5 goals between September and November and started Carlo Ancelotti's debut match; Neymar only played 17 out of 35 matches, scoring 3 goals, with injuries threatening his entire season and World Cup spot.
Ten months was enough to reverse the established order. Estevao, once a backup player for the Brazilian national team, became an almost default choice for the 2026 World Cup, while Neymar struggled with injuries, inconsistent form, and the weight of expectations, facing the risk of missing the biggest tournament.
10 months to reverse the trend.
By the end of January, Estevao had only made four appearances from the bench, and his place in the 2026 World Cup squad was still uncertain. Neymar, meanwhile, was a guaranteed key player, returning to Santos with the hope of ending his career with one final World Cup campaign.
But now, the story has shifted. Estevao has risen rapidly, starting in Carlo Ancelotti's debut match as Brazil's coach. Five goals between September and November have virtually put an end to the debate over his place in the national team.
Estevao: an upward trajectory and a European imprint.
The goal scored with his weaker foot against Barcelona in the 3-0 Champions League victory was a statement of his ability. It reinforced the notion that Chelsea had signed the most outstanding Brazilian talent since Neymar himself. After a year of exponential growth, Estevao not only scored goals but also demonstrated his suitability for the intensity of top-level competition.
Neymar: A forgettable 2025
Conversely, Neymar is facing a disappointing 2025. His latest knee injury could keep him out of the final three games of the season, while Santos are in the relegation zone. Since his knee injury while playing for Brazil in October 2023, his fitness has been inconsistent. Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus even excluded him from the squad due to fitness issues, paving the way for Neymar's return to Santos.
The scenario at the beginning of 2025 is a question mark, and by November, things remain the same. Without a sufficiently long winning streak, Neymar cannot regain his greatest strengths: dribbling, turning, and creating breakthroughs at high speed. In the 35 rounds played so far, he has only played 17 matches, scoring 3 goals – far too few compared to the expectations placed on a 33-year-old star.
Tactics at Santos: role changes, inconsistent effectiveness.
The 0-6 defeat against Vasco da Gama was a negative turning point. Coach Cleber Xavier was sacked after experimenting with a risky system involving Neymar, a central striker, and two wingers. His successor, Juan Pablo Vojvoda, was forced to relegate Neymar to the role of a "free-roaming number 9": limiting his defensive duties, allowing him to drop deep to organize play, and focusing on decisive moments thanks to his vision and technique.
This formation sometimes works – like the goal against Mirassol – but the general trend is disjointed. When dribbling ability declines, Neymar struggles to escape marking, and the team's structure becomes vulnerable when possession is lost. The conflict between the need to protect tactical balance and the desire to give maximum power to the star player remains unresolved.
Stress and consequences in the locker room.
The season was tinged with frustration. In the match against Flamengo, when Santos were trailing 0-3, Neymar constantly complained to the referee, the opponents, and even his teammates. When substituted, he lost his temper – and ironically, Santos scored two goals without him on the field. This image contrasted sharply with the Neymar who had been beloved in the dressing room for most of his career.
Santos' historical burden and the challenge for its future.
Santos boasts an immense legacy: in the Pele era, they were the best team in the world; in the 21st century, their youth academy produced a golden generation, culminating in the 2011 Copa Libertadores with Neymar. However, that very history has become a burden as Brazilian football faces increasing financial disparities. In 2023 – the first season after Pele's death – Santos were relegated to Serie B for the first time. Despite immediate promotion, the expectation that Neymar would revive the club proved far-fetched.
If Santos are relegated, keeping Neymar will be very difficult due to the cost. His chances of competing for a place in the Brazilian national team while playing in Serie B are also slim. In that context, the realistic option is to find a new club – or face the risk of watching the 2026 World Cup on screen.
Impact on the Brazilian national team
With Estevao scoring five goals in three months and being given a starting opportunity by Ancelotti, the balance for the 2026 World Cup clearly tipped in favor of the young player. Neymar, with only 3 goals in 17 out of 35 matches and another injury, is heading in the opposite direction. Time is still there, but the window for him to return to peak form is narrowing.