Neymar celebrated his 33rd birthday with a spectacular return to Santos, his boyhood club, 12 years after leaving for FC Barcelona. The former PSG star was eagerly awaited by fans across Brazil and made his comeback in the second half against Botafogo-SP, replacing Gabriel Bontempo.
A Hero’s Welcome for Neymar
From the moment he stepped onto the pitch, Neymar took the captain’s armband and was greeted by an ecstatic crowd singing “Happy Birthday”. Despite lacking full match fitness, he put in a solid performance, earning Man of the Match honors, according to Marca, with 6 shots, 24 passes, and 5 fouls suffered. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
“I Felt at Home”
After the game, Neymar shared his thoughts on his emotional return: “I felt great today. I expected to run less, but I enjoyed every moment. It’s disappointing to finish with a draw, but the fans need to be patient—this team will improve and bring them plenty of joy.”
He also admitted he is not yet at 100% but expects to reach top form within four or five matches.
An Unforgettable Post-Match Moment
In a unique scene, Botafogo-SP players all lined up to take pictures with Neymar after the final whistle. His highly anticipated return has already made waves, promising more excitement in the weeks to come.
