Neymar made his long-awaited return to Santos on his birthday in a 1-1 draw with Botafogo in the Brazilian Paulista Championship.
Click here for more football updates.
Check out M88 Mansion’s best offers here.
Neymar makes Santos return on his birthday
Neymar, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Wednesday, started on the bench and came on after the break.
Santos led the match 1-0, thanks to Tiquinho Soares’ first-half penalty, when Neymar took the field.
However, Alexandre de Jesus equalized in the 67th minute, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Brazilian star said he took positive feelings from his first match in over three months.
“I can’t find the words to express the feeling when you love something,” Neymar said after the match.
“I love Santos very much and I can’t find the words to describe the feeling I felt when I stepped out onto the pitch today.”
“It was a very difficult game”
Neymar completed his move back to Santos on January 31, signing a six-month deal after his stint with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
He was limited to just seven appearances after tearing his ACL and meniscus in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October.
This was his first game in three months, and he acknowledged that he is not yet in peak physical condition.
“It was a very difficult game,” he said.
“I had even commented that my father was there on the side. I said, it’s a difficult game, they’re marking a lot at the back, they’re a team that defends a lot, a lot of hitting. And they found a ball and scored. I think it’s time for me to be patient and get some practice.”
