Twelve years after bidding farewell to Santos, Neymar stepped back onto the Vila Belmiro pitch, rekindling his love affair with the club where his legend began. The 33-year-old, returning from injury, played the second half as Santos settled for a 1-1 draw with Botafogo in a night charged with nostalgia and raw emotion.
“I love Santos,” Neymar said post-match. “I have no words to describe what I felt tonight when I stepped again on this pitch.” Despite admitting he was far from peak fitness, the former Brazil captain showed flashes of brilliance, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Neymar’s story with Santos is one of triumph and unfinished business. He won six trophies, including the 2011 Copa Libertadores, before leaving for Barcelona in 2013.
His career saw record-breaking moves first to Paris Saint-Germain in a £200m transfer, then to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal. However, a devastating ACL injury cut short his Middle Eastern adventure, limiting him to just seven appearances.
Santos, a club synonymous with legends like Pelé, endured its own struggles, suffering relegation for the first time in 2023. But they bounced back immediately, winning Serie B to reclaim their top-flight status. Now, with Neymar back in the fold, hope is rekindled.
