When a man looks at himself in a metal statue, he has two options: he becomes narcissistic or he is filled with nostalgia. In the first option, he praises himself and puffs up about his achievements. In the second, he is aware of what he has achieved but, above all, remembers the things -good and difficult- that led him to be there.
The Brazilian footballer Neymar, who at 34 years old seems to be heading towards the end of his professional career, chose the second path when on Thursday, upon arriving at the Memorial de las Conquistas, the museum where Santos F.C. displays its trophies and pays tribute to its historical figures -Pelé, for example-, he found a bust with his face and a wax statue of himself.
What did Neymar say about the tribute given to him by Santos?
There is no record but, surely, when Neymar arrived at the Santos museum and saw the bust alongside a shirt, a large photograph, and a life-size wax statue with the Santos uniform, captain's armband, and a ball in his right hand, he cried with joy. The Brazilian player is an emotional man. In many moments, both happy and sad, he has been seen in public with tears in his eyes. Afterward, he posed with his father, who has been his representative throughout his career, next to the bust that was made for him at his favorite club.
What elements compose Neymar's tribute exhibition?
The tribute to Neymar is located in the Memorial de las Conquistas, which is the official museum of Santos F.C., where the club displays its trophies and pays homage to its historical figures. The exhibition consists of a bust with his face, a life-size wax statue with the Santos uniform, captain's armband, and a ball, as well as a team shirt and a large photograph.
Neymar won six trophies with Santos: three Campeonatos Paulistas (2010, 2011, and 2012), one Copa de Brasil (2010), one Copa Libertadores (2011), and one Recopa Sudamericana (2012).
