''Neymar has a Unique Ability to Recover from Even the Hardest blows" – Jevgenijs "The Hurricane" Aleksejevs on Neymar's Injury and Return to Fitness

Performing at such high levels as Neymar and Jevgenijs "The Hurricane" Aleksejevs, is a goal that every young athlete aspires to achieve. Whether it's scoring hat-tricks like Neymar or being the undefeated boxer like Jevgenijs Aleksejevs, their impact on the world of sports has been instrumental.

Although every professional athlete has his or her own style of play or fighting, there is something that unites them all. Injuries. Nobody can expect to come out unscathed. Players' resilience, personal traits and love for the sport often come to the fore during the response to injuries. Aleksejev's great impression of how injuries never stopped Neymar and his thoughts on Neymar's resilience are detailed below.

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior

Neymar has been playing professionally since 2009 when he first appeared for Santos. At the young age of only 17 years, he already displayed extreme dexterity and capabilities that far surpassed competitors of his age. He quickly worked his way through the ranks playing for famous teams like Barcelona and PSG for years. Everyone saw he was an exceptional player, but few knew just how strong he was off the field too.

Even right in the beginning, there was an inkling that Neymar was a player with a character as he often said: "I just want to be better every day, to get better every day, not to be better than anyone else." This healthy way of seeing the game, without the need to compare is what allowed him to have the patience to calmly learn and improve from the injuries mentioned below.

One of his first recorded injuries was a bad ankle injury during his time with Barcelona, which kept him off the field for 32 days back in 2014. It should have gotten him down for longer but with the proper treatment, following doctor's orders and the correct mental headspace, Neymar was able to come back even stronger. Since then he has had his fair share of injuries, with off times spanning from 10 to 25 days on average. Most players would be tempted to adopt a safer and less risky style to avoid further injuries but not Neymar. ''I am not the type of person who lets pressure get to him. I try to see it as my friend. I align with it to calm me down,'' he said.

His ability to turn pressure into a calming sensation was massively tested in mid-2023 and is still tested to this day. Year 2023 has brought Neymar much pain. In June 2023, Neymar returned after 130 days off the field due to an ankle injury and surgery. He is currently off till April 2024, having sustained a cruciate ligament tear while playing for Brazil in October.

Neymar said: "When we face challenges and difficult times, we must hold on to our dreams and continue to pursue them." Players of his caliber and his wealth could have quit the game years ago and happily lived off their earnings. However, similar to Jevgenijs Aleksejevs, Neymar is not someone who lets pain stop him.

This is something that Jevgenijs Aleksejevs thinks very highly of and had these thoughts to share on his most recent injury: ''Neymar is determined to return to the pitch in the best possible shape and I expect that he will have made the most of his rehabilitation period in terms of skill and fitness. I expect him to come back stronger and more mature than we have seen him in the last three years. I admire his ability to recover even after the hardest blows and rise to the top again and again."

There is a saying that goes "to know one, you have to be one," and Jevgenijs Aleksejevs has also experienced his fair share of injuries. It could have been the end for him if he did not have such a strong character.

Jevgenijs "The Hurricane" Aleksejevs

Jevgenijs Aleksejevs has had a few injuries during his professional career. To be an undefeated boxer, you have to know how to take a few punches. But one thing that Aleksejevs continues to say and display is the fact that it does not matter how you fall, what matters is how you rise again.

After breaking his leg at only 17 years of age, Aleksejevs feared that his career was over. Many worried that he would be too afraid to step in the ring again as the injury happened only 17 seconds into his first professional fight. However, The Hurricane is made of a much tougher spirit than that.

"Life literally and figuratively brought me to my knees. I broke my leg within 17 seconds of my first fight at the KOC World Championship Fight Show. The injury and the recovery were a strong blow not only to my physical health but also to my mental health. Looking back now, that was the moment when I could realize the importance of martial arts in my everyday life. I did more than I was advised to do to get back in the ring as soon as possible. One door closes, another one opens- at that time for me it was the road from kickboxing to boxing. I assume it will be the same with Neymar, only he will be able to continue doing what he loves the most - scoring goals.''

His above thoughts show someone with an immensely strong character and nature, both physically and mentally. This toughness allows him to be the undefeated boxer that many know and love today. He extended his winning streak against Nicolas David Veron in Valencia, Spain on the 22nd of December, 2023, solidifying his professional boxing record at an impeccable 15-0-0.

The Hurricane asserted dominance early on, unleashing a barrage of precise body blows in the first round to quell any lingering nerves. Maintaining control from start to finish, he sent his opponent to the canvas in the fourth round with a formidable right cross. As the fight progressed, Aleksejevs eased into a composed state, confidently navigating the latter stages. In the final round, despite falling just shy of a decisive finish against the Argentine, Aleksejevs showcased his strength with a determined onslaught. The judges' scorecards underscored his unwavering advantage, with scores of 60-53, 60-53, and 60-54.

Jevgenijs "The Hurricane" Aleksejevs said: ''I thoroughly enjoyed this fight. Facing a strong opponent with a fiery spirit and a hefty punch was precisely what I needed. It was crucial to remain mentally tough and not let him dominate. Knocking him down was immensely satisfying. Towards the end, I realised how I could fight even better against him. I had to lose that tension and I believe I did that well in the last round.''

"Now I just wish to rest and recover. I feel that the most thrilling times in my boxing career are still ahead, and today, I felt that I could achieve a great deal. It was an exhilarating experience, and I am now eager to continue my journey," MightyTips.com Ambassador added. "My ultimate goal is a title fight, for the WBC belt preferably. The International Silver one for example. To find a proper venue so that everything looks nice, and have a go at it."

Aleksejev's coach, Igor Mesmer, had the following to say: "We faced a very good and experienced opponent. His punches weren't particularly threatening, but his experience allowed him to try and neutralize our strengths, especially by maintaining distance. He often drew Jevgenijs into a clinch and succeeded at times. But overall, we adapted. In the last two rounds, particularly in the final one, The Hurricane started to catch him off-balance with his footwork, broke the distance, and landed some serious blows."

Turning Pain into Power

Whether it's an awful Neymar injury, a broken leg or the bloody face of The Hurricane, one thing is for sure – Aleksejevs has always looked up to the exceptional way in which Neymar has managed his injuries and has taken that under his wing to continue to fight and come back after every painful moment.

The truth is that honest strength is often not born out of convenience but out of adversity and pain. But it is this pain that allows athletes like Aleksejevs to become the undefeated champions they are today.

Published by Patrick Jane
23.12.2023