Neymar the matchwinner for Santos with his first Série A goal in thirteen years

Neymar helped Santos to an impressive 1-0 victory over Flamengo on Wednesday night, marking a memorable return to Brazil’s top division.

With his first Série A goal since 2012, the 33-year-old star was the decisive figure in a tightly contested match that saw Santos overcome the league leaders in front of a vibrant home crowd. It was a performance that not only secured three crucial points but also rekindled excitement around Neymar’s comeback to Brazilian football.

Since rejoining Santos earlier this year, Neymar had managed to find the net in state championship games, delighting fans with flashes of his old brilliance. Yet, his return to the Brazilian league had been marked by cautious optimism as he worked his way back from injuries and lack of match sharpness following an underwhelming stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal. Until now, he had yet to score in the national competition. That changed dramatically in the 84th minute against Flamengo when Neymar, showing glimpses of his peak form, turned expertly past his marker and unleashed a precise shot into the bottom corner. The goal not only sent the Santos fans into raptures but also broke a personal drought that had lasted over a decade his last Série A goals coming on December 1, 2012, when he scored twice against Palmeiras.

Neymar’s return to the scoresheet was symbolic on many levels. After leaving Santos as a prodigious talent, he joined Barcelona in 2013, forming part of the legendary attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. His European journey was glittered with success, including a Champions League triumph and multiple domestic titles. Later, his world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain was intended to establish him as the best player in the world, but while he won several trophies in France, injuries and controversies frequently disrupted his momentum.

His time at Al-Hilal was supposed to be a new chapter, yet injuries continued to haunt him, limiting his impact and raising doubts about his future at the highest level. Returning to Santos was a deeply personal decision a way to reconnect with his roots, reignite his passion for football, and rebuild his form in familiar surroundings.

His match-winning display did not go unnoticed, especially by Filipe Luís, the current manager of Flamengo and a former teammate of Neymar with the Brazilian national team. “Everyone knows Neymar’s qualities his vision, his dribbling, his unpredictability,” said Filipe Luís after the match. “Today I saw Neymar truly competing at Série A level again. He was committed, sharp, and when he’s fit, he simply makes the difference.”

Filipe Luís, himself a seasoned veteran of Brazilian and European football, praised Neymar’s all-round contribution, particularly his work rate and defensive efforts aspects often overlooked in his game. “I saw him today doing things he wasn’t doing before his injury breaks fighting for the ball, tracking back, pressing our defenders. It’s great for Brazilian football to have a player of his caliber back here. Unfortunately for us, he decided the game, but if Neymar reaches full fitness, he is practically unplayable.”

Neymar himself was visibly satisfied with both the performance and the result. “For me, Flamengo is the best team in Brazil right now. It’s always very difficult to play against them their quality, their organization but today we showed that we are capable of much more,” Neymar said in the post-match interview. “I’m happy with my contribution, not just in attack but also in helping the team defensively. I’m still not one hundred percent, but I’m getting stronger every day. My body feels better, but it’s a process. It takes time, and I have to be patient.”

Beyond the individual achievement, the victory carries significant weight for Santos, a club looking to re-establish itself as a powerhouse in Brazilian football. Beating the league leaders is a statement, and with Neymar finding form, there is renewed hope that Santos can climb the table and challenge for honours this season.

Elsewhere in Brazil, Corinthians finally broke their winless streak in the league, earning a narrow 1-0 victory over Ceará their first league success since May 18, a run of results that had put pressure on the team. Memphis Depay, one of Corinthians' marquee signings, was absent due to suspension after picking up a yellow card in the previous match, but in his place, Talles Magno emerged as the hero of the night. The 23-year-old striker seized his opportunity, finishing off a well-crafted move orchestrated by Peruvian international André Carrillo, well-known to Portuguese football fans from his time with Benfica and Sporting CP.

With that win, Corinthians will now face São Paulo in a challenging away fixture this coming Sunday. Memphis Depay is expected to return, adding firepower to a squad eager to build momentum after a difficult spell. As the Brazilian league season intensifies, the resurgence of stars like Neymar and the ongoing battles among traditional giants promise an exciting and competitive campaign ahead.