VIDEO: Neymar selfie queue! Rivals desperate for snap with Santos star after Brazilian forward makes second debut for boyhood club after transfer from Al-Hilal

After enduring an injury-ravaged spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, ex-Barcelona forward Neymar saw his contract in the Middle East torn up. That allowed him to mull over several options on a free transfer, with a move to MLS that would have seen him reunited with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez speculated on at one stage.

No deal was done there, with Neymar opting to retrace steps to where it all began for him. The 33-year-old, who is Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, has penned an initial six-month contract with Santos. He is hoping to rebuild lost form and fitness.

His first outing for Santos since 2013 saw Neymar step off the bench in a 1-1 draw with Botafogo. Once that contest came to a close, the star attraction happily posed for photographs with opposition players and coaching staff.

Neymar posted on social media after taking in an emotional homecoming: “As bad as the result was, today was a very special day. Thank you all for your affection and for encouraging us until the end. Now more than ever we need all the support from our fans… because with you we are stronger! Very happy and excited to be back, I will give my best as I always have to put Santos where it deserves to be, at the top!!! Come on team, come on nation... together we are unbeatable, BELIEVE.”

Neymar has stated his desire to represent Brazil at the next World Cup finals, which will take place in the summer of 2026, but it remains to be seen whether he will reach that tournament as a Santos player or whether another new challenge will have been taken on by then.