Neymar scored his first goal in 16 months with a penalty, helping Santos achieve a 3-1 victory over Agua Santa in the Paulista Championship on Sunday. The Brazilian star expressed his happiness to be back on the field after a long injury break.
He successfully converted the penalty in the 14th minute, with Thaciano adding another goal, and Guilherme finishing with a third goal in the 70th minute, assisted by Neymar.
Neymar’s previous goal was for Al Hilal in October 2023. A severe knee injury limited him to just seven matches after joining the Saudi club in 2023.
“I’m happy to be playing again. I feel I’m improving,” he said. “Obviously I’m not going to be 100% physically, it’s only my fourth game but I’m getting better and better.
“I was anxious to score and wanted to dedicate this to the fans and my family.”
Neymar started his professional football career at 17 with Santos in 2009, where he scored 136 goals and assisted 64 times in 225 matches, leading the team to their first Copa Libertadores title in nearly five decades in 2011.
In 2013, he transferred to Barcelona, and then in August 2017, he made a record-breaking move to Paris Saint-Germain for 222 million euros ($232 million). Later, he joined Al Hilal for about 90 million euros.
According to Brazilian media, Neymar’s contract with Santos lasts until the end of June.
“We’re helping each other, Santos are helping me, they’ve opened doors for me to rediscover soccer, to rediscover joy,” Neymar said when asked about extending the contract.
“I didn’t want to sign a long contract because I didn’t know how I was going to come back. I didn’t know how I was going to feel during these months. Let’s enjoy these moments, its the start of a great era for Santos.”
Santos next host Noroeste in the Paulista on Wednesday.