Kamil Grabara’s season is gone, abruptly. A brutal torn ACL in training earlier this month forced Juventus to make a move nobody saw coming: bringing back 37-year-old Norberto Neto as their new backup keeper. This isn’t some small shuffle, it’s a massive change for their goalie situation, only a month into the new campaign after Grabara went under the knife last week for his season-ending injury.
An Old Face Returns to Turin
Talk about a blast from the past, right? Neto, a familiar face from Juventus’ glory days in the 2010s, is back after almost a decade away. He’s 37 now, but this is a guy who knows what it means to win in black and white. From 2015 to 2017, Neto made 22 appearances, helping the Bianconeri snag two Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia trophies, and even an Italian Super Cup. He’s been on a world tour since then, hitting Spain with Valencia and Barcelona, then England with Bournemouth and Arsenal, before landing back in Brazil last season with Botafogo. Now he’s signed a one-year deal through the 2026-27 season, stepping in when the club needed him most. Seriously, it’s exactly the kind of unexpected veteran return that gets you hyped, you know? A guy who bled black and white, coming back when the team truly needs him.
The Goalie Room Gets a Wild Twist
Initially, the plan was clear: a battle between Guglielmo Vicario and Kamil Grabara, both brought in on loan deals with options to buy in August. Vicario has already locked down the starting gig, playing all five Serie A games so far this season. But with Grabara sidelined for the entire campaign, that dynamic is completely blown up. Neto’s not here to take Vicario’s starting spot, that’s for sure. He’s coming in to provide cover, likely seeing action in the Coppa Italia and maybe if Vicario needs a rest during the packed schedule ahead. The hope, of course, is that Juve avoids any more injury luck. But with how unlucky they’ve been this season already, who even knows what else could happen? This team’s already faced some wild curveballs, you know? Neto was taking part in training right away on Monday, so he’s jumping in. He’ll need a couple of weeks to shake off some serious rust, though, as he hasn’t played a game since late May.
So what’s next? Vicario’s the man, no question there. Neto needs to get sharp, and fast, because the season is long and injuries can pop up out of nowhere when you least expect them. The club is clearly hoping their injury woes don’t hit the goalie position again, and that Neto can provide that veteran safety net when called upon. It’s going to be absolutely fascinating to see how this plays out for the rest of the campaign!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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