Neymar Pays Tribute to Vinicius Junior After Milestone Moment for Santos

Santos, Brazil — Neymar opened his 2026 account in style on Thursday night, scoring twice to lead Santos to a 2-1 victory over Vasco da Gama and celebrating his first strike with a pointed nod to international teammate Vinicius Junior.

The 34-year-old forward, making only his third appearance since returning from injury, broke the deadlock in the 25th minute with a composed right-footed finish into the bottom-right corner. He then jogged toward the corner flag and performed the same dance celebration Vinicius Jr has used in recent weeks — a gesture that has become a flashpoint after the Real Madrid star was booked for dancing against Benfica and subsequently subjected to alleged racial abuse from opposing winger Gianluca Prestianni.

Neymar’s imitation came just days after Vinicius Jr sealed Real Madrid’s passage to the Champions League Round of 16 with another superb solo goal and another twirl at the Bernabéu, silencing critics who had suggested his exuberant celebrations provoked the ugly scenes in Lisbon.

Vasco equalized on the stroke of halftime, but Neymar settled matters midway through the second half, lifting a delicate chip over the onrushing goalkeeper to complete his first brace in six months. The goals were his first since coming back from a lengthy layoff and only the second time in that span he has scored more than once in a single match.

“Last week they said I was the worst player in the world,” Neymar told SporTV after the final whistle. “Soccer is like that … one day you are retired, another you have to go to the World Cup. I’m living one day at a time. I’m working, getting in the best possible form.”

The double strike arrives at a pivotal juncture for the Brazilian icon. New Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti, appointed last May, has yet to include the country’s all-time leading scorer in any of his squads, instead prioritizing emerging talents such as Estêvão and João Pedro. Persistent fitness issues have further complicated Neymar’s hopes of a recall, but a sustained run of health could force Ancelotti’s hand with the 2026 World Cup — to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico — now only four months away.

Ancelotti will unveil his next squad in four weeks for friendlies against France and Croatia, presenting Neymar with an immediate opportunity to state his case on the international stage. For now, the Santos No. 10 appears determined to let his feet do the talking, one goal — and one dance — at a time.