6 February 2025
Brazilian star Neymar da Silva caused panic in the stands after falling injured in his first participation after returning to Santos. Neymar Junior joined Santos from Al Hilal Saudi Arabia to play his first match with his former team after an absence of 12 years since his departure to Barcelona Spain.
The international player suffered a severe blow minutes after participating in the Santos match against Botafogo, falling in pain on the field before getting up and completing the match after the intervention of his team's medical staff.
After the match, Neymar, who is still recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgery, said: "I need more minutes, more matches, I am not fully fit yet, but I did not expect to run this much tonight. I will be much better after three or four matches from now."
He added: "Every time I enter the field, I feel like the happiest person in the world because I do what I love, playing football."
He continued: "I left here at the age of 21 and traveled around the world and made history in the clubs I played for and taking pictures with competitors is the respect I receive in my homeland." Neymar only participated in 7 matches with Al Hilal due to repeated injuries and left "Hilal" at the end of last month by terminating his contract by mutual consent.
