Neymar Jr scores his first goal as Santos player since his return

Neymar, with a goal - his first since returning to Brazilian football - and an assist, led Santos to a 3-1 win over lowly Agua Santa on Sunday and top spot in Group B of the Campeonato Paulista.

Two weeks after arriving in Brazil, Santos' No 10 opened the scoring after 13 minutes when he won a penalty after being brought down in the box. The home side doubled their lead with a goal from Thaciano in the 25th minute, and Netinho closed the gap before the end of the first half.

In the second half, when Santos seemed lost on the pitch, Neymar received a pass inside the box but failed to connect with the ball, so from the floor he made a perfect pass to Guilherme, for the ‘Peixe’ to score his third goal.

Sunday's match was the fourth game played by the former Barcelona player in the land of his birth, a game in which he looked more relaxed on the pitch and with a more attacking style of play, although he was worn down in the second half, which he did not finish.

Only recently recovered from a serious knee injury and various muscle problems, Neymar has been making progress in fits and starts after rejoining Santos on 31st January following the termination of his multi-million-dollar contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal.

The star made his debut with a 1-1 draw at home to Botafogo of Sao Paulo, repeated the stalemate against Novorizontino (0-0), lost the ‘Clasico’ against Corinthians (2-1) and finally got a win for Santos on Sunday in the group stage of the Campeonato Paulista.

 

February 17, 2025