Brazilian star Neymar expressed his delight after scoring directly from a corner in Santos’ 3-0 victory over Internacional de Limeira in the Paulista Championship on Sunday.
Speaking after the match, the 33-year-old forward revealed how he responded to the home crowd’s taunts by delivering a spectacular “Olympic goal.”
“I went to take the corner, they provoked me,” Neymar said. “I asked them to sing louder, I struck the ball and got an assist. Then, the second time I went there [to the corner], they did it again, so I thought to myself: ‘Now I’m the one who’s going to score the goal’ [laughs].
“I hit a great shot and managed to score my first ‘Olympic goal,’” he added.
His 27th-minute strike caught goalkeeper Igo Gabriel off guard, curling in from the left and hitting the far post before going in. The goal was so impressive that it drew cheers from opposition fans.
Neymar, who returned to Santos in January on a six-month contract, is looking to regain form after injuries limited him to just seven appearances for Al Hilal over 18 months.
“I’m going game by game, getting ready and feeling better on the field,” he said. “I’m not going back to being 19 years old—how much I miss it—but I feel better and more relaxed.”
The forward is also aiming for a return to the Brazil national team ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
“Regarding the call-up, I’m there,” Neymar said. “Each player’s desire is to defend the country, and for me, it has always been an honour. If I have the opportunity to return, I will be very happy.”
Brazil coach Dorival Junior is set to name his squad on March 7. Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national team since suffering an ACL injury in October 2023.
