Neymar returns after two months, Santos held by Fortaleza | OneFootball

Neymar’s return to Santos, after 45 days of inactivity due to injury, was one of the major events of the weekend in Brazil. In the 1-1 draw against Fortaleza at the Vila Belmiro stadium, the star once again captured the attention of the public and the media with a technical move that has already gone viral: a feint during the execution of a direct free kick that caught the opposing wall off guard and sparked an avalanche of reactions on social media.

The play, which many have dubbed the first ever “free kick with paradinha,” showed the striker in top form and with his characteristic flair for improvisation and spectacle. The shot cleared the wall, although goalkeeper Brenno managed to deflect it with a remarkable stretch. “If that had gone in, they would have had to build him a statue,” wrote a fan on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting the excitement sparked by the Paulista star’s technical gesture.

Neymar came on in the second half, after a conversation with Argentine coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda, who explained: “He told me he wanted to help, even if he could only play a few minutes. We tried him in practice and he showed me he was ready. Making the decision was easy after talking to him.” In the 20 minutes he was on the pitch, the striker was decisive: he took part in the play that led to the equalizer, delivered three key assists, drew four fouls, and showed off his skill with several dribbles that brought the crowd to its feet.

Despite the impact of his return, Santos remains in trouble near the bottom of the Brasileirao: they are 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone. “Neymar absorbs the pressure his teammates are under. He feels the club’s situation and wants to be part of the solution,” Vojvoda emphasized after the match.

The player’s continuity at the club is still not guaranteed. According to ESPN Brazil, the management is evaluating his situation ahead of next season. Meanwhile, Neymar is looking to regain rhythm and confidence with his sights set on the 2026 World Cup and on being considered by Carlo Ancelotti, coach of the Brazilian national team.

Santos’ next match will be against Palmeiras, at the Allianz Parque, where the synthetic turf could influence the decision on whether Neymar returns to the starting lineup or continues to gradually add minutes. Regardless of the result, his return left one thing clear: Brazilian football once again has its great spectacle on display.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.