- Neymar made his second debut for Santos in a 1-1 draw against Botafogo SP
- The Brazilian was the most fouled player on the pitch and won a red card for an opponent
- Santos missed multiple chances, including two created by Neymar, who was named Man of the Match
Key Takeaways:
Neymar made his highly anticipated return to Santos, coming off the bench in a 1-1 draw against Botafogo SP in the São Paulo state championship. Playing his first match for the club since leaving over a decade ago, the Brazilian replaced Gabriel Bontempo at halftime and was immediately in the spotlight.
In just 45 minutes, Neymar became the most fouled player on the pitch, drawing five challenges from the opposition. He also forced a red card for Wallison, took six shots on goal, and completed 22 passes, showing flashes of his former brilliance. Despite his efforts, Santos squandered multiple opportunities, including two clear chances created by Neymar.
🚨OFFICIAL:
Neymar was elected Man of the Match against Botafogo-SP while only playing 45 minutes in his debut return to Santos! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/7AcnCzxEs9
— Ginga Bonito 🇧🇷 (@GingaBonitoHub) February 6, 2025
Santos took the lead in the 38th minute when Tiquinho converted a penalty in front of 20,000 fans at the Vila Belmiro Stadium. Botafogo SP responded in the 67th minute with a header from Alexandre Jesus. After the match, several players from the visiting team gathered around Neymar for pictures.
During his first stint with Santos, Neymar played 225 matches and scored 138 goals, helping the club win six major trophies. His return comes after Saudi club Al-Hilal terminated his contract by mutual agreement last week following just seven appearances since September 2023.