International football: Neymar celebrates for his artistic shot

Brazilian Neymar, who has returned to Santos FC, thrilled fans in his home country in his first 90-minute appearance. The 33-year-old contributed to his team's 3-0 away win at Inter de Limeira by converting a corner. After the trick shot, Neymar sat down on an advertising board and was celebrated by the whole stadium. He also took the lead with the assists for the other two Santos goals by Tiquinho Soares (9th/32nd). Santos has thus qualified for the quarter-finals of the regional Paulista championship and avoided a month-long break, as Brazil's Serie A does not begin until the last weekend in March.

Neymar is already looking ahead to March 7, when coach Dorival Junior will name the Brazilian national team's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Colombia (March 20) and Argentina (March 25). "I'm ready," Brazil's record goalscorer announced on Sunday. In October 2023, Neymar suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out of action for more than a year at his former employer Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. [AUTHOR_KURZ]