Brazilian media make their feelings clear on Neymar after first appearance for Santos

Neymar made his much-anticipated second debut for Santos overnight in a 1-1 draw with Botafogo as he marked his 33rd birthday with a 45-minute cameo for his boyhood club following his move from Al Hilal in the January transfer window.

The Brazilian was introduced at half-time for his inaugural outing since making the return to his homeland and suffer the early ignominy of his first touch after arriving onto the pitch being a clearance powered into his nether regions.

Alexandre de Jesus scored the equaliser for Botafogo to cancel out Tiquinho Soares' opener for the home side and risked the wrath of Neymar by imitating his iconic celebration when levelling the scores.

But things improved from there for the 33-year-old, who showed no signs that the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered during his ill-fated spell in the Saudi Pro League will continue to hamper him.

Wearing the No.10 shirt once worn by Pele and having been handed the captain's armband at the interval, Neymar looked at home on his return to the club where he spent six years between 2011 and 2017, where he scored 136 goals in 225 appearances and won six trophies.

And local media were quick to deliver their verdict on him afterwards, with O Globo delivering a comprehensive rundown of what happened during his first match back where it all began for him.

"Despite his lack of rhythm, having not played in three months, Neymar played well throughout the game," they wrote.

"The number 10's most notable moments were a good finish from outside the area after an individual play that was saved by João Carlos, two hard fouls that resulted in yellow cards for Botafogo-SP players, and a mistake in the penalty area in injury time after a pass from Guilherme.

"With no defensive obligations, Neymar, who received the captain's armband as soon as he entered the field, was positioned as a sort of attacking midfielder, playing behind Tiquinho Soares. The two even tried a good play in tandem after the centre-forward pivoted and the number 10 shot wide."

The report also noted how Neymar was on the receiving end of some bruising challenges from opposition players during his 45 minutes on the pitch, with two players receiving yellow cards for over-zealous challenges on him within five minutes of him entering the field. It's something he may well need to get used to in a league renowned for its robust nature.

Neymar impressed on his second debut for Santos. (Image: Getty)

The closest he came to scoring was when he tested visiting goalkeeper João Carlos with a driven shot after a weaving run across the penalty area and he almost teed up teammate Guilherme to grab a goal himself after a neat pass.

Neymar was greeted with cheers and took photographs with opposing players who seemed in awe as he left the Vila Belmiro and he revealed just how special a moment it had been for him when interviewed by reporters after the match.

"I love Santos," the Brazilian said.

"I have no words to describe what I felt tonight when I stepped again on this pitch.

"I need minutes, games. I'm not at 100%. I didn't expect to run and dribble so much tonight. I think I'll feel better in four or five games."

Santos return to action on Sunday against Novorizontino and the expectation is that Neymar will start for the first time since his return after a promising opening cameo.