Neymar returned from injury but Santos continued their poor start to the league, suffering their third consecutive defeat. The Brazilian star played 45 minutes at the Maracanã Stadium, but his comeback ended in disappointment.

Santos lost 1-0 to Fluminense, with Samuel Xavier scoring the decisive goal in the dying moments. All eyes were on Neymar, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, who came off the bench in the second half but only made headlines for receiving a yellow card for an elbow on an opponent.

The team, managed by Pedro Caixinha, showed numerous weaknesses in the first half and barely threatened the opponent’s goal. The coach decided to bring Neymar on in his first league match after halftime. Neymar said after the game: “I’m in good shape” and added that he felt comfortable during the match.

Neymar said: “I want to play, and I had good movement. Since returning to Brazil, I’ve been 100% ready. But of course, I respect the coach and medical staff’s decisions. Today I felt good, and my movements were fluid.”

However, this fitness has yet to translate into impact for Santos. The team has earned just one point in the first three weeks of the league and suffered their second defeat after Fluminense scored in the 96th minute.

Neymar’s last appearance before this was on March 2 against Bragantino in the Paulista Cup quarterfinals. He started that game, scored, but left in the 76th minute due to left thigh pain. The Brazilian star spent last month undergoing physiotherapy, recovery training, and muscle strengthening.