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Neymar Jr. scored his first goal of 2026 and added a second in Santos' crucial 2-1 victory over Vasco da Gama in the Brazilian Serie A on February 26, at Vila Belmiro. The 34-year-old forward, who recently returned from knee surgery, opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a clinical right-footed finish.
The brace by the star player marked the end of his goal drought since December 2025. He sealed the win with a cheeky chip in the 61st minute after scoring first in 25', helping Santos secure their first league victory of the season and climb out of the drop zone.
Neymar Jr hits Vinicius Jr celebration after scoring for Santos to support Real Madrid star
After the opener, Neymar celebrated by performing his compatriot Vinicius Junior's iconic corner-flag dance, which was a tribute to his fellow Brazilian star amid ongoing support against racism. The act has gone viral as a gesture of solidarity following the racism scandal involving the Real Madrid forward in the first leg.
The performance silenced recent critics who had labeled him among the "worst players in the world" following his injury layoff and limited early contributions upon returning to his boyhood club.
The brace not only boosted his personal confidence but also highlighted his enduring quality, with the celebration underscoring the mutual respect between him and the Los Blacos star, whom Neymar has long praised as one of the world's best.
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