Neymar's second debut for his boyhood club Santos proved to be disappointing, with the Brazilian star posting subpar statistics.

After having his lucrative contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal terminated due to injuries, Neymar returned to Santos, where his professional career began.

Though there were speculations about him joining Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami in MLS, Neymar opted for a six-month deal with Santos instead. His first game back since 2013 saw him come off the bench in a 1-1 draw against Botafogo.

Starting in the subsequent match against Novorizontino, Neymar struggled to make an impact over 75 minutes in a goalless draw.

The 33-year-old managed to complete just one out of eight dribbles, lost possession 24 times, and failed to register a shot on target. Additionally, his successful passing rate stood at only 79 percent, indicating the need for Neymar to regain his form.

As Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, Neymar is aiming to shake off the rust and perform better in the coming weeks, especially with aspirations of playing in the 2026 World Cup.

Despite his lackluster performance, he received a warm welcome from Santos fans.