Ten minutes after coming on, he was harshly tackled, narrowly avoiding another setback.

Santos FC: Neymar narrowly avoids serious injury on return (video)

Neymar made his comeback to the pitch with Santos FC after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The 34-year-old Brazilian had been recovering from a knee injury that nearly required surgery, but he had chosen to finish the previous season to help his club stay up and secure a spot in the Copa Sudamericana.

For his return match, against Velo Clube, Neymar was immediately targeted by opponents. Just ten minutes after coming on, he suffered a heavy tackle and was consistently under aggressive pressure throughout the match.

Despite the physical pressure, the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star kept his cool. He even provided an assist to Gabigol, contributing to Santos’ emphatic 6-0 victory. Neymar is proving he’s ready to hit the ground running this season, unfazed by opponents’ rough approach and the risks stemming from his recent injury.