Neymar netted a brace for Santos and answered his critics with a playful goal celebration as he returned to the pitch following Brazil’s underwhelming World Cup campaign.
His two goals helped Santos, who are still battling to avoid relegation, earn a 2-2 draw at home against last-placed Chapecoense on Saturday.
The outcome left Santos just one point clear of the relegation zone in Brazil’s top division.
The 34-year-old was making his first appearance for the club after being sidelined for two and a half months and has often been criticised for his off-field lifestyle.
He attracted fresh criticism earlier this week after participating in a poker tournament while his teammates were competing in a Copa Sudamericana fixture in Venezuela.
Neymar responded by marking his first goal with a card-dealing celebration before pretending to take a golf swing using the corner flag.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer brought his international career to an end after the five-time World Cup champions were eliminated by Norway in the round of 16.