Sports

Neymar Makes Emotional Return To Santos

A tearful Neymar was welcomed back to his boyhood club on Friday by thousands of Santos fans and a concert in the home stadium beneath an electronic sign saying, “The prince is back.” The 32-year-old signed a six-month contract, which he said could be extended. Neymar later admitted his return was also due to his feeling unhappy at Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal earlier this ye𓆏ar as he struggled to get playing time. He said he would be ready to play for Santos at least 30 minutes in a match scheduled for Saturday if he was given the go-ahead by local soccer authorities. About 20,000 raucous Santos fans filled 🌞their Vila Belmiro Stadium in the rain outside Sao Paulo to celebrate the Brazilian’s return. His evening arrival highlighted by fireworks capped a three-hour fiesta which also featured local singers.

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Neymar Brazil Soccer
Brazil Neymar Soccer | Photo: AP/Andre Penner

Brazilian soccer player Neymar reacts during his presentation ceremony after signing a six-month contract with San𓆏tos FC at Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos, Brazil.

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Brazil Neymar Soccer
Neymar Brazil Soccer | Photo; AP/Andre Penner

Brazilian soccer player Neymar wipes his eye during a news conference after signing a ⛦six-month contract with San🍌tos FC at Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos, Brazil.

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Neymar Santos FC
Santos FC Neymar | Photo: AP/Andre Penner

Brazilian soccer player Neymar speaks during a news conference after signing a ꦬsix-month contract with Sa🎐ntos FC at Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos, Brazil.

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Neymar Brazil Soccer
Brazil Neymar Soccer | Photo: AP/Andre Penner

Brazilian soccer player Neymar, center, waves to fans during his presentation ceremonyꦐ after signi🌄ng a six-month contract with Santos FC at Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos, Brazil.

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Neymar Santos FC
Santos FC Neymar | Photo: AP/Andre Penner

Brazilian soccer player Neymar greets fans during🍷 ꦇhis presentation ceremony after signing a six-month contract with Santos FC at Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos.

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Neymar Brazil Soccer
Brazil Neymar Soccer | Photo: AP/Andre Penner

Brazilian soccer player Neymar waves to fans during his presentati♌on ceremony after signing a six-month contract with Santos FC at Vila Belmiro Stadium in Saꦫntos, Brazil.

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Neymar Santos FC
Santos FC Neymar | Photo: AP/Andre Penner

Jerseys of Brazilian soccer player Neymar are displayed at🗹 the Santos FC club store at Vila Belmiro Stadium before A ceremony pr💯esenting him as the club's new player in Santos.

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Neymar Brazil Soccer
Brazil Neymar Soccer | Photo: AP/Andre Penner

A mural of Brazilian soccer play🅺er Neymar is paint𒀰ed next to Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos, Brazil, before a ceremony presenting him as a new Santos FC player.

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