Neymar's return to Santos has been marked by his first league goal of the Serie A season, leading to a 1-0 win over Flamengo. This victory is seen as a fresh start for him. After battling injuries that ended his contract with Al-Hilal, Neymar returned to his childhood club in January. He has since contributed six goals in 14 matches across all competitions.
Wednesday's match against Flamengo was significant for Neymar as he completed a full 90 minutes for the first time since February. His decisive goal came in the 84th minute, marking only his third start in Serie A since rejoining Santos. This was also just the second occasion he managed to play an entire match.

To focus on improving his fitness, Neymar declined opportunities to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup. This decision seems to have been beneficial, allowing him to regain form and contribute effectively on the field. "I'm really happy to be able to contribute in every way, both in attack and defence," Neymar expressed.
Neymar acknowledged Flamengo as the top team in the league but views this win as a turning point for Santos. "It's a new beginning for us. We showed that we can play against any team in the Brasileirao," he stated. Despite not being at peak fitness, Neymar is determined to improve daily and aims to play every game for 90 minutes.
The Brazilian star is focused on regaining full fitness after his injury struggles. "I want to be in better shape, and that takes time," he said, highlighting the importance of both playing and training regularly. Adjusting back into competitive football has been challenging due to past injuries.
Neymar's journey back to form continues as he adapts physically and mentally to the demands of top-level football once more. His commitment and recent performances suggest promising prospects for both him and Santos moving forward.