Can Neymar Give Real Madrid More Regret?

Neymar will meet Real Madrid at the 2025 Club World Cup (Instagram/@alhilal).

JAKARTA - A 13-year-old Brazilian boy received red carpet treatment from Real Madrid in 2005. The child's name is Neymar Jr.

Neymar and his father were flown in the first class to the Spanish capital. They were placed in five-star hotels, given VIP boxes for matches at the Santiago Bernabeu, showered with club knick-knacks, and introduced to superstars David Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, and Zinedine Zidane.

Real realizes that their Galacticos era is coming to an end. The appearance of Deco, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o made Barcelona move handsomely towards the glory of La Liga.

Furthermore, an Argentine mega-prospect at that time named Lionel Messi had just entered the first team of Barceona.

Therefore, Los Blancos want Neymar. They almost got it after taking a special heart.

However, it turns out that Neymar prefers to spend his youth at Santos. When he finally decided that it was time to cross the Atlantic, as a 21-year-old player in 2013, he agreed to terms with Real Madrid.

The seemingly finished deal failed when players and clubs were unable to agree to what he described as "small detail".

Neymar instead joined Barcelona, haunts Real Madrid and Madridistas. On his El Clasico debut, scoring one goal and providing assists for another goal in a 2-1 win.

During his four years at Camp Nou, he performed brilliantly when Barcelona lifted eight trophies, the majority at the expense of Real Madrid.

Neymar almost moved to the Santiago Bernabeu again towards the end of his tenure with Paris Saint-Germain. However, in the end he chose to sign a contract with Al Hilal.

He made the Champions League champions 15 times disappointed. Now, Neymar can again give Los Blancos a wound for the umpteenth time.

The draw for the 2025 Club World Cup group phase, which was attended by 32 teams, was carried out on Thursday, December 5, 2024, during Miami time, United States.

The draw put Neymar, Al Hilal, and Real Madrid clubs in Group H.

Al Hilal played Real Madrid in the opening match of Group H of the 2025 Club World Cup.

This means that Neymar will meet his colleagues again, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, who are in the Real Madrid uniform.

The storyline of Neymar is very numerous. He will face the giant he has almost defended three times, former arch-enemy, former PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe, and the exciting battle between left-wing and his Brazilian counterpart and best friend, Vinicius Jr.

Injuries have indeed plagued Neymar for 16 months in Riyadh. However, he is almost recovering. Despite speculation linking him to a move, he recently reiterated his commitment to Hilal.

"The opportunity to play here and live in a country like this is very important for many people."

"That's why I've always said that I'm very well received here. I'm very happy and sure things will improve."

"I'm sure other stars will come here. I'm sure many will have the opportunity to come here."

"I think everyone should have the opportunity to feel what I'm going through here," Neymar said on the FIFA website.

It's not just Neymar who will be teamed up with Real Madrid. Al Hilal gave the Spanish giant a tough test in a 5-3 thrilling defeat in the 2022 Club World Cup final in Morocco.

With unexpected ambitions, Saudi Arabian clubs have improved rapidly since then. Coach Jorge Jesus now has elite players, such as Yassine Bounou, Kalidou Koulibaly, Joao Cancelo, Renan Lodi, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Salem Al-Dawsari, Malcom, and highly productive Aleksandar Mitrovic.

However, the key to the surprise in the opening match of Group H could be the most expensive football player in history. Will Real Madrid have to pay for not bringing Neymar once again?