Brazilian star Neymar made a memorable return for Santos on Saturday, scoring twice and using his goal celebrations to send a playful message to critics following recent scrutiny over his lifestyle.
The 34-year-old forward inspired Santos to fight back from behind and secure a 2-2 draw against Chapecoense in Brazil’s top-flight league.
Despite the comeback, Santos remain in danger of relegation, sitting just one point above the drop zone.
The match marked Neymar’s first appearance for the club after spending more than two and a half months on the sidelines.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has been the subject of criticism in recent weeks after he was spotted participating in a poker tournament while Santos were playing a Copa Sudamericana fixture in Venezuela.
Neymar appeared to respond to the criticism in his own way after finding the back of the net.
He celebrated his first goal by pretending to deal playing cards before later using the corner flag to imitate a golf swing—gestures widely seen as a light-hearted response to the backlash surrounding his off-field activities.
The performance comes shortly after Neymar announced his retirement from international football following Brazil’s shock elimination by Norway in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup.
Despite the attention surrounding his personal life, the veteran forward reminded fans of his quality on the pitch with a match-saving display for Santos as the club continues its fight to avoid relegation.
Source: AFP.
