Under the lights and relentless rain of Vila Belmiro, Neymar made his long-awaited return to the Santos starting lineup—and what a comeback it was. After months of speculation, setbacks, and rehabilitation, the 34-year-old Brazilian icon delivered a performance that electrified fans and reignited hope for both club and country. With two decisive goals, Neymar not only propelled Santos to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Vasco da Gama on February 26, 2026, but also staked his claim as a player still capable of magic in a World Cup year.
For Santos supporters, this match was circled on the calendar as a turning point. Their beloved Peixe had been languishing at the bottom of the Brasileirao standings, winless through the early rounds. The stakes couldn’t have been higher: both Santos and Vasco entered the isolated fourth-round fixture desperate for points, with relegation fears looming large. But Neymar, back in the starting XI after a 70-day hiatus and left meniscus surgery last December, was ready to make his mark.
The opening stages saw Vasco da Gama press hard, with Nuno Moreira forcing a sharp save from Gabriel Brazão. Yet, it was Neymar who seized the spotlight in the 25th minute. After a lightning-fast break led by Moisés, Neymar received the ball and dispatched a precise right-footed finish past Leo Jardim, sending the Vila Belmiro faithful into raptures. The goal was not just his first of 2026; it was also his 151st for Santos, earning him a place among the club’s all-time top ten scorers. Neymar’s celebration—directed at the visiting Vasco fans and featuring a dance in tribute to Vini Jr.—sparked both joy and controversy, foreshadowing the emotional rollercoaster to come.
Drama soon followed. The match’s intensity boiled over when Neymar clashed with Vasco’s Thiago Mendes, a nemesis from their days in France. Words were exchanged, tempers flared, and both players saw yellow. At halftime, Neymar didn’t mince words, telling reporters, “It’s always him. He always wants to cause trouble, always wants to act tough, it’s always like this. With all due respect, he’s a jerk. He already broke me once at PSG and promised to do it again today. So let’s see if he’s man enough to break me again.” According to ESPN Brasil, the rivalry added a combustible layer to an already fraught contest.
Vasco, undeterred, kept probing down the left flank and were rewarded in the 43rd minute. A defensive slip by Santos allowed Gómez to set up Cauan Barros, whose low strike leveled the score. The tension was palpable as both teams retreated to the dressing rooms, the outcome hanging in the balance.
After the restart, tactical tweaks and substitutions signaled both coaches’ intentions to seize control. Rony entered for Santos, and the hosts pressed forward. It was Neymar, though, who once again delivered at the critical moment. In the 61st minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Vasco, Neymar latched onto a loose ball and rifled a left-footed shot into the high center of the net. The goal restored Santos’ lead and ultimately proved to be the match-winner. From there, the Peixe defense, marshalled by Adonis Frias, stood firm against a barrage of Vasco attacks. Despite Vasco enjoying 59.3% possession and registering 16 attempts, they found the target only twice. Santos, more clinical, managed four shots on goal from eight attempts.
For Santos, the impact was immediate and profound. The victory snapped their winless start to the season, catapulting them from 20th to 13th in the standings and offering a much-needed morale boost. For Neymar, it was a personal vindication after a grueling period marked by injuries and doubt. “I wanted to return this season at 100%, which is why I was cautious in some matches and held back a little. Santos created an excellent plan that helped me significantly in that regard,” he explained in a post-match interview with CazeTV. “With hard work and perseverance, I believe I will reach my peak form. That is what moves us, and that is what I want.”
Neymar’s journey back to form has been anything but straightforward. After a knee ligament tear in October 2023 and a disappointing stint at Al-Hilal—where he managed just one goal and two assists in seven matches—his return to Santos in January 2025 was seen as a last roll of the dice. Despite frequent injuries, Neymar contributed 11 goals and four assists in 28 appearances during the 2025 season, playing a pivotal role in keeping Santos in the top flight. His commitment, even while managing pain, has not gone unnoticed by fans or coaches alike.
Yet, as the 2026 World Cup in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean looms, the bigger question remains: can Neymar secure a spot in Brazil’s squad for what could be his final World Cup? National team coach Carlo Ancelotti has made his criteria clear. Despite Neymar’s emotional importance to the Selecao, Ancelotti has chosen not to call him up for the March friendlies against France and Croatia in the United States. The Italian tactician is using these matches as a tactical laboratory, assessing other squad options while keeping a close eye on Neymar’s fitness.
Reports from ESPN Brasil and Bild Sport confirm that the Brazilian Football Confederation and Ancelotti’s staff are monitoring Neymar’s progress. The door to the World Cup squad remains open, but only if Neymar can demonstrate elite physical readiness by May—the internal deadline set for final selection. As Ancelotti has emphasized, “There is no need to discuss how Neymar would fit into the team. The plan remains the same as before: to assess whether this superstar can meet the ‘physical conditions’ required to play in the World Cup in the way Brazil needs, by May.”
Neymar himself is acutely aware of the stakes. “Obviously, I wanted to come back and help my team in the best way possible, but I waited so I could return at 100%, without pain or fear,” he said. “With hard work and perseverance, I believe I will reach my peak form. That is what moves us, and that is what I want.” He has also hinted at the possibility of retirement, telling reporters, “I don’t know what will happen next. I might want to retire in December. I live one year at a time. This year is really important.”
For now, Neymar’s focus remains on Santos and regaining his sharpness. With upcoming fixtures and the World Cup on the horizon, every match is an audition. If his display against Vasco da Gama is any indication, the Brazilian superstar is far from finished—and the football world will be watching closely as May approaches and Ancelotti’s final decision looms.
As Santos look ahead to their next league challenge against Mirassol and Neymar continues his quest for full fitness, the story of one of Brazil’s greatest ever players entering the twilight of his career is far from over. Whether he graces the world stage one last time or not, his enduring brilliance and unyielding determination are sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.