Neymar scores as Santos defeats Flamengo in the Brazilian Série A

SANTOS, BRAZIL – JULY 16: Neymar of Santos celebrates after scoring the team´s first goal during the Brasileirao 2025 match between Santos and Flamengo at Urbano Caldeira Stadium (Vila Belmiro) on July 16, 2025 in Santos, Brazil.

The FIFA 2025 Club World Cup has finished and the Brazilian Série A is back with a bang. Neymar scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory for Santos against Flamengo, Cruzeiro moved top of the table and a man with the surname Ancelotti has taken charge of Botafogo.

Neymar Shines Against Flamengo

Santos defeated Flamengo 1-0 at home this week thanks to a late strike from none other than Neymar Junior. The visitors return from a solid world cup campaign, but it’s out of the frying pan and into the fire for the ‘Mengão.’

Flamengo was unlucky to meet a strong Bayern Munich side in Miami during the round of 16, but by defeating eventual tournament winner Chelsea and coming first in the group stage the Rio based team certainly didn’t leave anything on the pitch in the U.S.

For Santos it’s a big victory and up to 13th in the rankings. Neymar has had an up and down few months since returning to Brazil. Every grand return seems to be followed by another injury, but a winning goal against Flamengo is a huge moment for the famous number 10. Not for the first time it gives football fans the hope that a Brazil return for the FIFA 2026 World Cup could be possible.