Neymar Jr. returned to his boyhood club Santos, 12 years after leaving the Brazilian side, and was left speechless after his second debut.
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Neymar returns to Santos after 12 yearsMakes his second debut in draw with BotafogoLeft speechless as he shares experience of returnFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Neymar left Brazilian side Santos in the summer of 2013 after having coming through the club's youth system. The superstar winger's career looked to be on the right track after he helped Barcelona to their second treble in just his second season and also became one of their star players alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. However, he decided to move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, where injuries derailed his career before he shifted to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Hilal.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
However, the move to Al-Hilal did not pan out as Neymar only played a total of seven games in one-and-a-half seasons due to various injuries and form issues. With the Brazilian unwanted at the Saudi Pro League side, the 33-year-old looked for potential clubs. Santos announced the deal to re-sign their homegrown superstar on January 31, and Neymar made his second debut in the Serie A clash against Botofogo on Wednesday. After the match, Neymar said that he had 'no words' to describe the feeling of returning home.
WHAT NEYMAR SAID
Speaking after the game, Neymar said: "I love Santos. I have no words to describe what I felt tonight when I stepped again on this pitch.
"I need minutes, games. I'm not at 100 percent. I didn't expect to run and dribble so much tonight. I think I'll feel better in four or five games."
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?
Questions have been raised about whether Neymar can return to his best after his struggles with injury. He will hope he can recapture his best form back at Santos and lead the Brazilian national team at the 2026 World Cup in the United States.