After not scoring for 502 days, Neymar celebrates his first goal with Santos and breaks the curse (VIDEO)

In Brazil, Neymar has rediscovered the brilliance that was completely extinguished in Saudi Arabia, including his goal-scoring instinct. The Brazilian scored his first goal in a Santos shirt after his return, an emotional moment for all the fans who had been patiently waiting for him for more than 10 years.

In 2013, he headed to Europe to seek success, but at the age of 33 he decided to return home to enjoy the final years of a glorious career.

And it's no coincidence that his long goal drought was immediately broken. The striker had not scored for 502 days, partly due to the serious injury that practically sidelined him against Al-Hilal. Neymar won a penalty thanks to one of his signature moves, full of talent and energy, and in the end he himself appeared from the penalty spot to restart the goal count in Brazil, suspended for the last 12 years.

Neymar's first goal with Santos

It seems like a century has passed since the last time the Brazilian celebrated a goal in front of his fans. It was in 2013, in a Brazilian Cup match against Flamengo, won 2-0. Many years have passed, but nothing has changed and his relationship with the fans has remained the same, despite time and distance. Precisely for this reason, Neymar's first goal after his return has a special flavor, even though it was not scored against a big opponent. On the field was Agua Santa, a fourth-tier team that participates in the São Paulo state championship, an easy challenge to rebuild the connection with his history.

But the most important news is that Neymar returned to goal for the first time since October 3, 2023, the last day he scored for Al-Hilal before his horrific injury. In a year and a half, he has played only seven games and has not been able to contribute with goals or assists. However, the fast was immediately broken with the Santos shirt, which now hopes to relive the glory of the time when he was a young talent shining on the field.