VIDEO: 'If you can, run for me' - Tearful Neymar's 'desperate' pre-match speech to Santos team-mates after being ruled out of semi-final clash with Corinthians

The Brazil icon returned to his homeland and joined boyhood club Santos on a short-term deal in the winter transfer window after terminating his contract with Al-Hilal. Neymar had hoped to rebuild his form and fitness in familiar surroundings, however, the star attacker was once again sidelined with a knock just before his boyhood club's crucial Paulista A1 semi-final fixture against Corinthians. A video has now emerged that shows the 33-year-old making an emotional plea to his colleagues to "run for me" just before kick-off. Santos, though, suffered a 2-1 loss in the absence of their talismanic forward.

"It is very hard to be out in moments like this. I am trying to control myself in every way, not show the sadness I am feeling," Neymar said in an emotional clip that had gone viral. "If you can, run for me. I wish I could be with you, running for each of you. You don't know how desperate I am in my heart."

Speaking to reporters, Santos boss Caixinha revealed that it was after his request that Neymar agreed to sit on the bench despite his injury. The manager said: "It was just a discomfort, but it meant he couldn't participate. It was my request and he agreed to be with the squad. He's a different player, he is enlightened and has fantastic energy. Neymar suffered a lot for not being able to participate in the game."

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has returned to the Selecao squad after more than 17 months and is expected to play a part in their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Colombia and Argentina on March 21 and March 26 respectively. Neymar will likely return to action for Santos after the international break when they face Vasco da Gama.