Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar's physical condition will be crucial for his inclusion in the national team for next year's World Cup, following the 33-year-old forward's omission from recent qualifiers.
Neymar, once seen as the next big phenomenon coming out of Brazil, has fallen by the wayside due to recurring injury problems.
Neymar’s performance was a bright spot, signaling a return to form for the star forward and lifting the spirits of the Santos faithful.
Neymar started his career at Santos before moving to Barcelona and then Paris Saint-Germain.
The Urbano Caldeira stadium erupted in celebration as jubilant and tearful fans lit up their mobile phones to give the striker, who left the club 12 years ago, a hero's welcome before kick-off.
Neymar has been one of the finest players in the world when at the top of his game, a forward with dazzling skill who "understands football as art", as his former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique once said.
Santos' president told Brazilian superstar Neymar it was "time to return to (his) people" in a video published on social media on Tuesday.
Santos' president told Brazilian superstar Neymar it was "time to return to (his) people" in a video published on social media on Tuesday.
