🔥 He's Back! Neymar Makes His Return in Santos Jersey

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

The Brazilian star has come off the bench in the match against Botafogo SP for the Paulista Championship and celebrated his 33rd birthday with a turbulent match at his childhood club.

After 4,273 days, Neymar has returned to play with the Santos FC jersey, where he started his great sports career. And he did it on his birthday. The Brazilian star, who recently left Saudi Arabian football, is back home. But it was not such a happy return.

After a first half that ended with Santos leading 1-0 against Botafogo SP, coach Pedro Malta decided to send Neymar onto the field in place of Gabriel Bomtempo.

Neymar entered with the number 10 on his jersey, put on the captain's armband that Tiquinho had and made Vila Belmiro delirious.

Moving along the left side and dropping back a lot to get in touch with the ball, Neymar made the stadium delirious with each intervention. He was fouled over and over again, and also suffered a ball hit in the testicles, but almost scored a goal in a play where he leaves two rivals behind and his cross shot was not enough to score.

Alexandre Jesus gave Botafogo SP the equalizer in the 66th minute and added excitement to the end of the match. But Wallison saw red and left the visiting team with one less player for the end of the match.

Santos went in search of the win without success. Neymar had a chance in stoppage time where he could not find the goal with his right foot. His team deserved the win but lacked the necessary precision.

His new stage has not started in the way he dreamed and, probably, his best moments are yet to come.

📸 NELSON ALMEIDA - AFP or licensors