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Neymar Returns to Santos in Sold-Out Paulista Match

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Neymar Santos Fc 2025 Match Vila Belmiro

SANTOS, Brazil — Brazilian soccer star Neymar made his highly anticipated return to Santos FC on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in a sold-out Campeonato Paulista match against Botafogo-SP at Vila Belmiro Stadium. The game, which kicked off at 9:35 p.m. local time, marked Neymar’s first appearance for Santos since rejoining the club.

Vila Belmiro, with a capacity of 16,000, saw all tickets sell out within 48 hours of going on sale. Tickets were first made available in person on Saturday, Feb. 1, and online through the ‘sociorei.com’ website starting Sunday, Feb. 2. Prices ranged from $150 to $240 for non-members, with discounted rates for club members and free entry for Black-tier supporters.

The match is part of the seventh round of the 2025 Campeonato Paulista, a regional league in São Paulo state. Santos fans packed the stadium, with sections like the Cosmo Damião and José de Alencar stands offering tickets at $150 for general admission. Premium seating, such as the Cadeira Coberta Dom Pedro, reached $240 per ticket.

Neymar’s return to Santos, where he began his professional career in 2009, has generated significant excitement among fans. The 32-year-old forward, who previously played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, rejoined the club after a successful stint in Europe and the Middle East.

‘This is a special moment for me and the fans,’ Neymar said in a pre-match interview. ‘Santos is where it all started, and I’m thrilled to be back.’

The match also highlighted Santos’ tiered ticketing system, which offers varying levels of access and pricing for members. Black-tier members received free entry, while Gold-tier members paid as little as $37.50 for certain sections. The club also provided accessible seating options for wheelchair users and individuals with reduced mobility.

As the game unfolded, fans cheered loudly for Neymar, who wore his iconic No. 10 jersey. The atmosphere at Vila Belmiro was electric, with supporters hoping for a strong performance from their returning hero.