Neymar Jr was at the peak of his career in the centre of Rio De Janeiro, where the rhythm of samba pulsated through every street and the colours of the city created the most beautiful backdrop.
For Neymar, this was more than just a game – it was a chance for atonement.
In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Neymar and Brazil faced heartbreak to a magnitude that had never been felt before. Seleção, carrying the weight of the entire nation’s expectations on their back, were demolished by Germany in a 7-1 massacre in the semi-finals.
Neymar missed the match after being sidelined with a severe back injury sustained in the quarter-final match against South American rivals Columbia.
Consequently, he had to watch helplessly as his teammates were torn apart, the dream of lifting the World Cup on home soil capitulated in an instant.
The Olympic Journey
Brazil’s hiatus through the Olympic tournament couldn’t have been any further from smooth. After two back-to-back goalless draws against South Africa and Iraq, criticism started to loom over the Brazilians. The team was under immense pressure to deliver — and that they did.
In the final group game against Denmark, the score ended 4-0 thanks to a brace from Gabriel Barbosa and goals from Gabriel Jesus and Luan. Brazil had finally found their rhythm and Neymar’s leadership became apparent to the world.
Next up was the knockout stages which saw Seleção defeat Columbia 2-0 and demolish Honduras 6-0 with Neymar picking up 3 goals over the two games. The passion he displayed throughout was contagious, and the team showed togetherness that wasn’t evident at the start of the tournament. Each match brought them one step closer to glory and each victory strengthened their resolve.
Next stop: The Final
August 20th 2016. The Maracanã Stadium was packed to the brim. The final was a rematch against Germany, the team that had been haunting the whole of Brazil following that 7-1 drubbing in the 2014 World Cup.
From the outset, it was clear that this would be a battle of wills. Both teams came out with a high-intensity approach, but it was Brazil who opened the scoring and who else would it be to do so? In the 27th minute, Brazil had won a freekick and Neymar stepped up, curling the effort into the top corner, sending fans into a frenzy.
Germany found their way back into the match thanks to Max Meyer in the 59th minute, and the game progressed into extra time and then to the dreaded penalty shoot-out.
As the tension reached its threshold, Neymar stepped up to put the nail in the coffin. This was his moment to etch his name into the history book. With a calmness that overhauled the pressure, he slotted the ball into the back of the net, handing Brazil their first Gold medal in football.
The Redemption
As the ball hit the back of the net, the emotions took over and Neymar sank to his knees. Tears streaming down his face as his teammates sprinted over to him.
The stadium erupted, rejoicing in a moment of joy and redemption. Neymar had not only handed Brazil their first gold in football but also exorcised the demons that lingered over them since 2014.
For Neymar, this victory was showcased in more ways than just a medal. It showed testament to not only his but also the team’s resilience and the ability to rise above adversity. This was a story of redemption, where the pain of the past was transformed into the glory of the present.
The golden redemption was complete. Neymar Jr wasn’t just any old footballer; he was a hero who had etched his name into the annals of Brazilian history.
