The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar took the field in the second half for his boyhood club Santos in its Campeonato Paulista match against Botafogo SP on Wednesday at the Estádio Vila Belmiro.

Neymar took powerful shots from the edge of the box and ran above his own expectations in 52 minutes on the pitch for Santos on Wednesday in his first game for the Brazilian club since his return last week.

Brazilian forward Neymar made his long-awaited return to his childhood club Santos in a lacklustre 1-1 draw with Botafogo in the Brazilian Paulista Championship on Wednesday.

Neymar has confirmed he will be re-joining boyhood club Santos, 12 years after he first left to join Barcelona as one of the most promising youngsters to ever come out of Brazil.

Neymar has confirmed he will sign what is expected to be a short-term contract with his boyhood club, Santos, as the Brazil striker aims to recharge his career ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The Urbano Caldeira stadium erupted in celebration as jubilant and tearful fans lit up their mobile phones to give the striker, who left the club 12 years ago, a hero's welcome before kick-off.

Neymar has wasted little time in getting back to work since his Santos return.The club's returning hero was back out on the training pitches following his move from Al-Hilal and treated his new

Neymar has played for 52 minutes in his first match for Santos since returning to the Brazilian club last week. He took powerful shots from the edge of the box and ran above his own expectations in a 1-1 draw with Botafogo Ribeirao Preto on Wednesday as he continues his recovery from a ACL surgery.