Neymar Returns With Flair And Frustration In Santos Comeback Win

Neymar’s long-awaited return to Santos FC action delivered exactly what fans expected — magic, drama, and raw emotion.

Back from knee surgery and chasing a place at the 2026 World Cup, the Brazilian icon produced an eventful cameo in Santos’ emphatic 6–0 Paulista A1 victory over Velo Clube.

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Instant Impact: Assist And Electric Skills

Introduced from the bench, Neymar wasted no time reminding supporters of his quality. His dazzling footwork and close control had defenders scrambling — and he quickly made his mark by setting up Gabriel Barbosa for one of his two goals.

The assist capped a perfect attacking sequence and showed Neymar’s sharpness despite months out.

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Fury Over Penalty Call

The comeback wasn’t without controversy.

Neymar appeared to be clipped inside the box after gliding past multiple defenders, but the referee waved away strong penalty appeals — leaving the forward visibly furious.

For a player trying to rebuild rhythm and confidence after injury, the moment summed up the emotional rollercoaster of his return.

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Missed Sitter Adds To Mixed Night

The biggest frustration came minutes later.

A precise cutback found Neymar unmarked near the penalty spot — but the usually clinical star sliced his shot badly over the bar. He dropped to his knees in disbelief as the crowd groaned.

It was a rare miss, yet a reminder that match sharpness often lags behind flair in early injury comebacks.

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Positive Signs For Santos And Brazil

Despite the missed chance and penalty drama, the overall takeaway was encouraging:

• Assist on return

• Explosive dribbling intact

• Confidence evident

• Physical movement fluid

For Santos, Neymar’s presence reignites belief. For Brazil, it keeps alive hopes that their talisman can reach full fitness before 2026.

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