After more than two months on the sidelines, Brazilian icon Neymar Jnr. returned to action in Santos’ 6-0 thumping of Velo Clube. Having overcome his latest knee setback, the former Barcelona and PSG star is driven by a singular ambition: leading the ‘Seleçao’ at the 2026 World Cup.
As expected, Santos FC made light work of Velo Clube this weekend, cruising to a dominant 6-0 victory in the Paulista A1. While Gabriel Barbosa—the clinical ‘Gabigol’—stole the headlines on paper with a brace and an assist, the true narrative of the afternoon lay elsewhere.
The fixture served as the stage for Neymar’s highly anticipated return to the pitch. At 34, the Mogi das Cruzes native finally rediscovered the sensation of competitive football after more than two months in the treatment room.
Also read: Hearts of Oak edge Kotoko 1-0 in Kumasi to revive title hopes
The talismanic forward had been out of action since the first week of December, following surgery to repair his left knee.
That setback had left him sidelined for several weeks and threatened to derail his ambitious goal of spearheading Brazil’s 2026 World Cup campaign. Yet, Neymar displayed his trademark resilience, showing very promising signs upon his reintroduction. Introduced at the interval, the former Barcelona and PSG maestro needed just 45 minutes to remind spectators of his enduring quality, providing the assist for Gabigol’s second of the afternoon.
“Everyone needs Neymar. Santos FC, the Brazilian national team… I am certain Carlo Ancelotti will be very happy to see him performing. He remains a world-class talent with immense ambition. You see it every day; he wants to be at the top level and he wants to win,” remarked Juan Pablo Vojvoda, the ‘Peixe’ boss, after the final whistle.
A beaming Neymar savoured his return, marking the start of a 2026 odyssey where he intends to cement his legacy with the ‘Selecao’. As the nation’s all-time leading marksman with 79 goals, his absence has been keenly felt; he has not represented Brazil since 17 October 2023, when a devastating knee injury against Uruguay sparked a period of professional agony. That chapter of frustration may finally close on 13 June against Morocco, should he once again take his place on the international stage to lead the national anthem.