Neymar celebrates emotional return to Santos - an unforgettable birthday!

Neymar celebrates emotional return to Santos - an unforgettable birthday!

Santos, Brasilien - Neymar Jr. gave an emotional comeback for his youth Club Santos on February 6, 2025. On his 33rd birthday, he was substituted in the game against Botafogo at halftime. In the ranks of the Urbano Caldeira stadium, euphoric fans celebrated the star, who returned to his first club after 12 years. However, the game ended disappointing for Santos with a 1-1 draw, despite a first goal by Tiquinho Soares by penalty in the first half. Botafogo equalized by Alexandre de Jesus in the 67th minute and an outnumbered after a red card against Wallison was not enough to secure victory. During the game, Neymar could not build on his old performances, as well as laola1.at reported.

Neymar's return and personal challenges

Neymar, who most recently played in Saudi Arabia at Al-Hilal, had to deal with injuries during his absence, including a serious knee injury that stayed away from the square for almost 16 months. For him, his return to Santos not only means returning to his roots, but also a fresh start in his career. After the game, he explained: "I can't find the words to express the feeling when you love something. I love Santos very much and cannot describe what I felt when I stepped onto the field today." For him, this return is a full circle in his career because he wants to rediscover the love of football, such as Al Jazera

Neymar is now playing for Santos, a club with which he has won six titles in the past, including the Copa Libertadores. He admitted that after his long failure he was not yet 100 percent and needed more game practice. Despite the challenges, the reunion with the fans was a magical moment for him.