- Neymar made his first appearance for Santos after returning to the club last week
- Has signed a short -term contract 12 years after starting for the first time for Barcelona
- Listen now: Everything is starting! We need Arsenal's personality! This needle is what the Premier League is about
Neymar was forced to settle for a draw in his first game in 12 years for Santos, but the Brazilian was glad to have been very delighted to have once again been his childhood club.
The 33-year-old made an emotional return to the Brazilian giants last week after his £ 130 million contract per year with the Saudi Al-Hilal Professional League club ended each other.
The top scorer of all Brazil's time, Neymar made his debut for Santos in 2009 and won the Copa Libertadores in 2011 after scoring in the final. During his four -year spell, he made 225 appearances in all competitions, scoring 136 impressive goals and registering 64 assists.
Having fought with injuries in Saudi Arabia, Neymar arrived in the second half of Santos's 1-1 draw with Botafogo and the striker showed some signs of oxide after going out to the field.
He even had the misfortune of bringing the ball directly to his groin only a few seconds after his introduction. But even that could not moisten his spirit.
“I love Santos,” said Neymar. 'I have no words to describe what I felt tonight when I step on this field again.
Neymar showed signs of oxide in his first appearance for Santos since he returned to his childhood club
The Brazilian suffered the misfortune of taking the ball to the groin only a few seconds after reaching the field
'I need minutes, games. I am not 100 percent. I did not expect to run and dribble so much tonight. I think I will feel better in four or five games.
During his time outside Santos, Neymar became one of the most recognizable faces in sport, looking at Barcelona before completing a world record transfer to the PSG in 2017.
After his departure from Paris, Neymar lasted only 18 months with Al-Hilal. He held a broken anterior cross ligament only two months after arriving, with his injuries that limit him to only seven appearances and a goal.
He returns to Santos who suffered a descent to the second level for the first time in the 111 years of club history in 2023. The team assured an immediate return to the highest category a year later.
Neymar has inherited the iconic shirt No. 10 of Pelé for his second period in the club.
During an emotional presentation ceremony compared to around 20,000 followers at the Vila Belmiro stadium, he said: 'I am very happy. We live great moments here. There are still many things that could come.
Then, the supporters sang that they wanted to see him dribble again, to which he replied: “I will not miss boldness (to drive).”
Visibly surprised by the occasion, Neymar could not contain the tears after kissing the badge, and then proceeded to blow kisses.
Before the event, he had greeted his future teammates and club executives in the training field. It is said that several prominent figures even moved to tears.