Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. made his highly anticipated return to Santos FC on February 5, 2025, coinciding with his 33rd birthday. The match, held at the Vila Belmiro Stadium, saw Santos draw 1-1 against Botafogo-SP in the Campeonato Paulista. 
Neymar entered the game as a substitute in the second half, marking his first professional appearance in 16 months following a significant knee injury. Despite the fervent support from the home crowd, his performance was subdued, reflecting the challenges of returning to top form after a prolonged absence. Santos initially took the lead through a penalty converted by Tiquinho Soares, but Botafogo-SP equalized with a goal from Alexandre de Jesus. Even after Botafogo-SP was reduced to ten men following Wallison's red card for a foul on Neymar, Santos was unable to secure a victory.
Off the field, Neymar's return has generated unprecedented engagement on social media platforms. Collectively, content related to his comeback has garnered over a billion views across Instagram and TikTok. Santos FC's official accounts have seen a substantial increase in followers, with millions joining in anticipation of Neymar's return.
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