Neymar made an impressive return from injury by scoring twice against Flamengo, reaching 70 Brasileirão goals for Santos in the points-era and 160 goals for the club in all competitions.
Neymar Extends Santos Record After Two-Goal Comeback Against Flamengo
Neymar marked his return from injury in impressive fashion by scoring twice for Santos and extending one of his biggest club records.
The Brazilian superstar came off the bench against Flamengo after spending around five weeks out with a thigh injury.
Santos were trailing 2-0 when Neymar entered the game, but two penalties from the forward helped his team fight back to earn a 2-2 draw.
The goals also took Neymar to another important milestone in his Santos career.
Neymar reaches 70 Brasileirão goals for Santos
Neymar has now scored 70 goals for Santos in the Brasileirão during the points-era, which began in 2003.
He was already the club’s leading scorer in this period before the Flamengo match.
The Brazilian Football Confederation had previously confirmed Neymar as Santos’ top scorer in the modern league format.
His two goals against Flamengo therefore extended the record rather than creating a completely new one.
Clear lead over Santos rivals
Neymar has built a large advantage over the other leading Santos scorers from the same era.
Kléber Pereira is among the closest names behind him with 52 goals.
Neymar had already reached 68 before facing Flamengo.
The latest brace pushed his total to 70 and strengthened his position at the top of the club’s modern Brasileirão scoring list.
160 goals for Santos in all competitions
The Flamengo brace also brought Neymar to another major number.
He has now scored 160 goals for Santos across all competitions.
That keeps him among the greatest scorers in the history of the Brazilian club.
Neymar currently remains ninth on Santos’ all-time scoring list.
He is still behind Araken Patusca, who scored 184 goals for the club.
Dream return after injury
The timing of the milestone made the achievement even more special.
Neymar had not played for several weeks because of a right-thigh injury.
He started the Flamengo match on the bench before being introduced in the second half.
Santos were already two goals behind, but Neymar immediately changed the game.
His two penalties helped the home side recover and avoid defeat.
Neymar still not fully fit
Despite the strong comeback, Neymar admitted that he is still being careful with his injured leg.
He avoided forcing some long passes and powerful shots with his right foot during the match.
The forward is still working his way back to full fitness.
That means Santos are expected to continue managing his minutes carefully in the coming matches.
Another reminder of Neymar’s importance
Neymar’s return showed once again how important he remains to Santos.
Even without being fully fit, he was able to completely change the direction of the match.
His two goals rescued a point and also added another historic milestone to his second spell with the club.
Seventy Brasileirão goals in the points-era now belong to Neymar, and the Santos legend continues to extend a record that is already his.
More milestones could follow
Neymar still has work to do if he wants to climb higher on Santos’ all-time scoring list.
But reaching 160 goals shows how important his place in the club’s history already is.
If he can stay fit, more records could come during the rest of the season.
For now, his first match back from injury could hardly have gone better: two goals, a comeback and another historic Santos milestone.
