Neymar made his return from injury on Sunday, April 13, 2025, against Fluminense, playing in his first Brasileirão match since 2013.
The former Barcelona forward returned to his boyhood club, Santos, in the summer of 2025 after leaving Al Hilal in 2024. Neymar had initially left Santos for Spain in 2013.
Although he featured and scored for Santos in the Paulista playoffs, a late-season injury and the conclusion of the Brazilian league delayed his much-anticipated second debut in the competition where he first rose to stardom.
The long-awaited moment finally arrived when Neymar was named on the substitutes’ list for Santos’ third Brasileirão game of the 2025 season against Fluminense.
Neymar’s last appearance in the Brasileirão was in 2013, during the early stages of his illustrious career.
With Santos chasing their first win in the Brasileirão, head coach Pedro Caixinha decided to bring on Neymar for his second debut in the league.
However, the 33-year-old failed to make a significant impact on the game, as Samuel Xavier struck late in stoppage time to secure the victory for Fluminense.
The win elevated the 2012 champions to fifth on the league table, while Santos remains in the relegation zone with just one point from three games.
For Neymar, the return also offered a special opportunity to reunite with his longtime teammate, Thiago Silva, who captained Fluminense. The two had previously played together for Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain.
Watch the video below:
Neymar vs Fluminense (A)
45 min played ( quality bit off but we deliver ) pic.twitter.com/iDTVODMn5u— wassim🇩🇿 (@Wassimbarca23) April 14, 2025
FKA/MA
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