Neymar Pays Tribute to Vinicius Junior After Milestone Moment for Santos
The Brazilian icon showed his support for Vinicius Junior in the best way possible.
Neymar bagged his first goal of 2026 on Thursday night and celebrated by imitating his fellow countryman Vinicius Junior’s dance moves at the corner flag.
The Real Madrid No. 7 has been at the center of a racial storm over the last week, and it all started with his trademark dancing after he scored a spectacular goal against Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League knockout phase playoffs.
Neymar Makes Statement in Santos Win
The visitors bagged an equalizer on the brink of halftime, but Neymar once again sprung to life in the second half, this time with a classy chip over the goalkeeper to secure the victory for his boyhood club.
The brace is only the second time in the last six months Neymar scored more than one goal in a match, and it was also the first time he found the back of the net since returning from injury.
How Neymar Can Make Carlo Ancelotti’s Squad for the 2026 World Cup
New Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti has yet to call up Neymar since he took over the national team last May. Instead, the Italian manager has made a point to give young talent, like Estêvão and João Pedro, opportunities to impress.
Of course, Neymar’s fitness struggles also prevented Ancelotti from calling on the services of Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer. But now the Barcelona legend is fit and back to scoring goals at perhaps the perfect time.
Yet the only way Neymar will make Ancelotti’s World Cup squad is if he stays healthy for an extended period of time. Another setback or new injury would all but eliminate the already slim possibility of the forward featuring in the United States, Canada and Mexico in just four months.
Should Neymar remain fit and fully rediscover his form, it would be hard for Ancelotti to leave him home this summer. The first real test will come in one month, when the 66-year-old names his squad for Brazil’s March friendlies against France and Croatia.
