'Really bad! - Neymar complains about the ball after suffering first defeat back at Santos in derby date with arch-rivals Corinthians

The ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has returned to his roots in Brazil at 33 years of age. He was given a hero’s reception when retracing steps to Santos, but is still working on building full match fitness and sharpness on the back of an injury-ravaged spell at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Neymar’s opening two games for Santos both ended in draws, against Botafogo and Novorizontino, and he is waiting on a first win back in familiar surroundings. His latest outing, which saw him handed a starting berth once more, ended in a 2-1 reversal away at arch-rivals Corinthians.

Neymar was unable to make a telling contribution to that contest and took aim at the Penalty-produced match balls afterwards, telling TV Record: “From the outset, with all due respect to Penalty, which sponsors the ball, I think they need to improve this ball a little bit more. The other day [Flamengo coach] Filipe Luis said it, and I agree. This ball is really bad and needs to be improved a little bit more to help our championship too.”

Despite suffering defeat against Corinthians, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer Neymar believes that Santos “played a good game” and are heading in the right direction. They will be back in action on Sunday when playing host to Agua Santa.