“Rest in Peace, Professor”- Neymar Mourns the Demise of the Man Who Put Him in Football

For years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have defined soccer’s greatest rivalry, with their names echoing in every corner of the globe. Yet, between them, there is a Brazilian who embodied flair, creativity, and promise, a player many believe was on the same level to be argued for as one of the best in soccer history. You guessed it right—Neymar Jr.

At the heart of Neymar’s rise was a man named Betinho Talentos, the scout who first recognized the raw talent in a young boy from the streets of Mogi das Cruzes. Betinho, who tragically passed away on Saturday, was Neymar’s first-ever coach and the one who guided him to greatness. A legendary figure in Brazilian football, Betinho played a pivotal role in bringing Neymar to Santos, where he made his senior debut in 2009.

In a heartfelt tribute, Neymar shared a childhood picture with Betinho on Instagram, writing, “You saw me running in the stands and made me run in several stadiums around the world. You put me in soccer and made my parents take me to my first tryout. I will always be grateful for that! Watch over us up there. Rest in peace, Professor BETINHO.”

Betinho’s discovery of Neymar was nothing short of extraordinary. Under his mentorship, Neymar helped Santos secure their first Copa Libertadores in nearly 50 years, immediately capturing the attention of the global footballing community. His raw talent and brilliance quickly propelled him to the top of South American football, earning a spot in the Ballon d’Or rankings, where he finished 10th. It didn’t take long for Barcelona to come calling, marking the beginning of Neymar’s legendary European journey.

Neymar’s accomplishments are the stuff of dreams—accomplishments that some players will never even come close to achieving. All of it came thanks to the sharp eyes and guiding hand of Betinho. Neymar’s impact was undeniable; in 2017, Paris Saint-Germain made him the most expensive player in history at the time, splashing out a staggering $234 million to bring him to France. Now, Neymar continues his career at Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, but his recent years have been marred by injuries.

Is Neymar set to leave Saudi in 2025?

Since joining Al Hilal in 2023, Neymar has only made 7 appearances, scoring once, due to a series of injuries in Saudi Arabia. A knee ligament injury sidelined him for over 12 months, and after making his return in October, he suffered another setback. According to Marca, Neymar is likely to remain registered for the remainder of his contract.

Now, the big question is: will Neymar renew his contract with Al Hilal? Could a return to Barcelona be on the horizon? Or might he return to Santos, the club where it all started for him? These questions are likely to remain unanswered for a while, adding to the intrigue surrounding his future. What is certain, however, is that football fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting to see his magic back on the pitch.

There’s also the speculation of a potential reunion with the MSN trio at Inter Miami, under the leadership of David Beckham. Where do you think Neymar will be by next season? Will he stay in Saudi Arabia, make a return to Europe, or pursue a new adventure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!