Neymar reveals post-match chat with opponents after 'they almost broke my ankles'

The ex-Barcelona and Paris-Saint Germain superstar made his 2nd Santos debut 12 years aft leaving the nine and his homeland

Neymar claimed his opponents wanted his autograph aft “they astir broke my ankles” pursuing his affectional instrumentality to Brazilian shot and his Santos aft 12 years. And the superstar past deed backmost astatine his erstwhile manager astatine Al-Hilal who ended his troubled clip successful the Saudi Pro League.

The ex-Barcelona and Paris-Saint Germain prima celebrated his 33rd day by making his 2nd debut for Santos arsenic a second-half substitute. “I emotion Santos, helium said. “I person nary words to picture what I felt contiguous erstwhile I stepped backmost onto this pitch. It’s thing I’ll ne'er forget.”

The São Paulo State Championship clash with Botafogo Ribeirão Preto ended successful a 1-1 draw.

But Neymar, who underwent ACL country successful November 2023, had six shots, made 22 passes and was fouled 5 times - helium was the astir fouled subordinate of the 2nd fractional - successful his header grabbing cameo appearance.

“After the match, they each wanted photos, but during the match, they astir broke my ankles,” helium laughed. "But it’s normal, determination are nary worries, and I’m blessed with the affection they person for me.”

Neymar won six titles with Santos, including the 2011 Copa Libertadores, earlier joining Barcelona successful 2013. He became the world ’s astir costly subordinate erstwhile helium moved to Paris for £199m successful 2017.

But since leaving the French superior for Al-Hilal for £75m successful June 2023 connected monolithic wages, helium had played lone 11 matches (seven with Al-Hilal and 4 for Brazil) aft suffering his genu injury.

Neymar signed a six-month woody with Santos connected January 31 which helium hopes volition beryllium extended until the 2026 World Cup arsenic helium rebuilds his vocation from his career-threatening injury.

“I request minutes, games. I’m not 100%, but I didn’t expect to tally and dribble arsenic overmuch arsenic I did tonight,” helium said. “I deliberation I’ll consciousness amended successful 4 oregon 5 games.”

Al-Hilal inactive won past season’s Saudi league without Neymar. And Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus declined to see the Brazilian superstar successful his squad for the 2nd fractional of this play aft claiming helium was not acceptable to instrumentality to top-flight football.

Neymar said: “The transportation is the lone spot wherever I tin support myself from that criticism, those comments. I knew I was going to amusement thing antithetic tonight.

“I said astatine Al-Hilal that I was acceptable to play. Not for 90 minutes — I had a superior wounded and past different setback. I conscionable inquire for a spot of patience from the fans arsenic I enactment my mode back.

“What helium said truly annoyed me. In training, who was making the quality and scoring goals? It was me. But fine, I don’t privation to accidental immoderate more.”

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