Neymar is once again at the center of a social media storm, but this time it’s not for goals, celebrations or witty interviews. That’s because two rainbow flicks failed, which quickly went viral and sparked one of the harshest waves of criticism he’s faced since returning to Santos. Footage showed the 33-year-old attempting consecutive rainbow flicks near the corner flag, but both failed in shocking fashion.
For a player who had built a worldwide reputation for talent, creativity and impossible tricks, the moment was jarring and almost surreal. Neymar, the same Brazilian prodigy who once so easily troubled defenders across Europe, suddenly looked hesitant, ponderous and a far cry from the magician who had dominated world soccer for a decade. And after Santos’ surprising victory over Palmeiras, fans did not hesitate.
Neymar roasted for consecutive failed rainbow flicks
Neymar returns to Santos not as a superstar in his prime, but as a veteran trying to save his childhood club from a relegation battle. The expectations are high, the pressure is even greater, and each touch he makes brings even greater nostalgia and the high standards he set back in the day. Fans aren’t just watching Neymar, they’re watching an icon of Brazilian soccer greatness rewrite the end of his story.
His entire career has been defined by creativity, talent, and risk-taking qualities that can lead to both brilliance and embarrassment. Most professional players rarely attempt a rainbow flick, much less twice within a few seconds. Neymar always plays on the line between genius and chaos, and sometimes chaos wins.
Still, that backlash says a lot about where Neymar stands today. He is no longer seen as a veteran who helped a club in crisis, but as the kid from Santos, who once took the world by storm. Every mistake, every touch, every flick becomes a referendum on whether the magic still exists. That’s why this clip caused such a strong reaction. Fans have been forced to face the possibility that Brazil’s most exciting star may finally be slowing down.
It remains to be seen whether the criticism will inspire him or hurt him. For now, Neymar has the chance to answer the noise in the only way he knows how. It’s on the pitch, with the ball at his feet and the world watching to see if his flicks and magic return.
