Neymar reborn? Watch his brilliant return strike for Santos after injury layoff – Goal fit for his Barcelona and PSG days

Something remarkable happened at Vila Belmiro, something that hasn’t been seen in months—and perhaps not since his Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain heyday. Neymar Jr., at 33, reminded the world exactly why he was once considered one of the game’s most electrifying talents. In his first official goal for Santos in four months, he produced a moment of brilliance that not only sealed victory over Flamengo but also offered a beacon of hope for a struggling team and its fans.

Neymar’s return to Santos was filled with both nostalgia and uncertainty. After terminating his lucrative Saudi Pro League contract with Al-Hilal due to persistent injury troubles, the Brazilian star opted to return to his boyhood club. But even at Santos, setbacks continued. The soccer icon found himself battling fitness concerns and doubt from critics who wondered if his best days were truly behind him.

Yet the 33-year-old persisted. Through rehabilitation and limited game time, he worked his way back into shape, gradually earning minutes and responsibility. And finally, on matchday 14 of the Brasileirao, he was ready—not just to play, but to make a statement.

Moment of magic

Midway through the second half against league leaders Flamengo, Neymar stepped onto the pitch as captain. The scoreline was locked at 0-0, Santos were desperate for points, and the atmosphere in Vila Belmiro was thick with tension. Then, in the 84th minute, the magic happened.

Receiving a pass from Guilherme inside the box, Neymar controlled the ball with his back to goal. In one swift, instinctive motion, he spun between Flamengo defenders Leo Pereira and Guillermo Varela, and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot past Agustín Rossi. The ball rippled the net. The crowd erupted. The veteran, arms wide, ran toward the stands in celebration. He hadn’t scored in an official match since March 3, but the drought ended with a flourish.

“He is a decisive player, always making a dangerous, effective play or leaving a teammate one-on-one with the goal,” said Flamengo head coach and former teammate Filipe Luis after the match. “Everyone knows his quality, how important he is for our football… It’s a privilege for Brazilian football that he is here again. It’s a shame he managed to decide the game for Santos.”

Beyond the goal: Symbol of revival

The 1-0 win over Flamengo wasn’t just another league result—it was a turning point. Prior to this match, Santos had gone four straight games without a win in the Brazilian Serie A or Copa Brasil. They were dangerously close to the relegation zone and low on morale. But Neymar’s late strike lifted them to 13th in the table with 14 points, just two behind the Copa Sudamericana qualifying spots and within reach of the Copa Libertadores zone.

What’s more, Neymar showed he could still be a complete player. He pressed, tracked back, and even attempted a cheeky nutmeg on Filipe Luis, now a coach. Though the panna failed, it symbolized his confidence.

“Today I saw Neymar at Serie A physical level,” Luis added. “We saw him in duels, in his repositioning, defending and pressuring our defenders, which he had not been doing before our break.”