Neymar records assist on return from left knee injury in 6-0 Santos win

Santos, Brazil — Neymar marked his first appearance since October 2023 by providing an assist in a rampant 6-0 Campeonato Paulista victory over Velo Clube on Sunday, a result that lifted the hosts to eighth in the standings.

The 34-year-old, introduced at half-time, was making his competitive return after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and immediately looked to influence proceedings at Vila Belmiro. His evening appeared in jeopardy in the 78th minute when Velo Clube defender Islan lunged in late, catching the forward on the same knee that had kept him sidelined for months. Islan was shown a yellow card; Neymar, after several anxious moments, rose to his feet.

Three minutes later the Brazil all-time record scorer underlined his enduring class. Drifting into space on the left, he clipped a precise pass into the path of Gabriel Barbosa, who converted for Santos’ fifth goal, sending the crowd into raptures and capping a fairytale comeback.

Neymar had re-joined his boyhood club in January 2025 following a mutual termination of his contract with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. Persistent hamstring and knee issues limited him to cameo appearances last season, yet his presence contributed to Santos avoiding relegation from Série A. Sunday’s assist was his fifth in 29 matches since returning, to go with 11 goals, and came after he signed an extension tying him to the club through December 2026.

Head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda praised the forward’s mentality. “Everyone needs Neymar — Santos, the national team,” he told Globo. “Ancelotti will be happy if he’s doing well. One thing will lead to another. He’s a world-class player. He still has that ambition; I see it in every small-sided game in training. He wants to be there and he wants to win. That’s what motivates him.”

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti stated in September that he would have “no problems” selecting Neymar for the upcoming World Cup if fit. With group-stage fixtures against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland on the horizon, the forward’s timely return offers Seleção supporters hope that their talisman could yet feature on the sport’s biggest stage once more.