Neymar returns to the pitch with Santos
Brazilian star Neymar returned to the pitch after several weeks out following surgery on his left knee. The 34-year-old forward played for his club Santos in the second half of their 6-0 victory over Veloco in the Paulista Championship. His first appearance since December showcased some of his trademark skills in a match where his team led 3-0 at halftime. It's worth noting that the past season has been challenging for Neymar at Santos, as he has suffered recurring injuries since joining the club after leaving Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal last year. However, he played a crucial role in helping the club avoid relegation from the top flight. The Brazilian club confirmed that Neymar has reached an agreement to extend his contract until the end of 2026, further cementing his commitment to the team. Neymar is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, two more than Pelé, but he hasn't played for the national team since October 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury against Uruguay. He has not yet been called up to the national team under Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who took over last June. Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13, followed by matches against Haiti and Scotland, before playing two friendlies against France and Croatia in the United States next March.
