But there’s a giant “and yet” hanging over Neymar’s career. Somehow, despite all those achievements, he hasn’t quite achieved all he could – or should – have. The Ballon d’Or and the World Cup remain conspicuously absent from his trophy cabinet.

Neymar said he was left speechless after making his first appearance for Santos since returning to the Brazilian club where he began his illustrious career.

Neymar, the Brazilian soccer superstar, made his highly anticipated return to his boyhood club Santos on Wednesday, taking the field for the first time in nearly 12 years. The 33-year-old came on as a substitute at the start of the second half in Santos’ Campeonato Paulista match against Botafogo SP at the Estádio Vila Belmiro.