Santos' Neymar celebrates after scoring a goal during a Campeonato Paulista soccer match against Água Santa in Santos, Brazil on Sunday- AP Neymar says Santos are helping him to "rediscover joy" after returning to his boyhood club on a short-term contract, reports BBC Sport.
The 33-year-old ended a 16-month goal drought when coolly converting from the penalty spot in Santos' 3-1 win against Agua Santa on Sunday.
It was also his first goal for anyone since October 3, 2023 when he was playing for Al Hilal against Nassaji Mazandaran in the Asian Champions League.
"I'm happy to be playing again. I feel I'm improving," said Neymar, who completed a return to Santos after Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent following an injury-hit spell with the club.
He added, "Obviously I'm not going to be 100 per cent physically, it's only my fourth game but I'm getting better and better.
"I was anxious to score and wanted to dedicate this to the fans and my family."
Al-Hilal paid
£77.6 million to sign Neymar from Paris St-Germain in August 2023 but a knee injury restricted him to just seven appearances.
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