Santos was set to face Red Bull Bragantino in the Campeonato Paulista quarterfinals, aiming for their first major trophy since returning to the first division. Once again, Neymar showcased his brilliance, opening the scoring with a stunning free kick.
In the 9th minute, Neymar was fouled by Bragantino‘s Pedro Henrique just outside the box. Instead of crossing, the Santos star opted to go for goal from a tight angle. With a powerful strike, he found the back of the net, giving the home side the lead.
In an euphoric celebration, Neymar approached the camera and fans, pounding his chest and shouting “Eu sou foda,” meaning “I am awesome” in English. This goal was crucial, as there is no second leg, meaning Santos must secure a strong result to stay in the competition.
Neymar’s strike against Bragantino marks his third goal in the last four matches for Santos. During this run, the Brazilian star has also registered three assists, including an Olympic goal, providing a significant morale boost after over a year on the sidelines.
The Campeonato Paulista pits teams from the state of São Paulo against one another. With Santos and Bragantino fighting for a spot in the semifinals, the winner will face either Corinthians, Palmeiras, or the victor between São Paulo FC and Novorizontino.
Neymar looking for a place in Brazil national team
After returning from an ACL injury, Neymar’s prospects for rejoining the Brazil national team were questioned. In October 2024, coach Dorival Junior chose not to call him up, prioritizing his recovery, which was further delayed by a muscle injury.
Now back at Santos, doubts remained about Neymar’s fitness, but after a slow start, he has steadily regained form. The Brazilian icon has delivered several impressive performances recently, earning a spot in Dorival’s preliminary squad for Brazil’s upcoming matches against Colombia and Argentina in March.
*Developing story…