Neymar Dances For Vinicius, Echoes Real Madrid Winger’s Moves In Support | WATCH

Last Updated:February 28, 2026, 14:03 IST

Neymar scored twice for Santos against Vasco da Gama, and celebrated with Vinicius Jr’s dance in solidarity after the Real Madrid star faced racism from Benfica's Prestianni.

Amid growing attention around Vinicius Jr, Neymar responded the way he knows best: on the pitch.

The Santos forward scored twice in a 2–1 win over Vasco da Gama and, after his first goal of 2026, ran to the corner flag and broke into Vinicius’ trademark dance.

It wasn’t spontaneous. It was deliberate.

Vinicius, Real Madrid’s No. 7, had found himself at the centre of another racism storm during the Champions League playoff against Benfica. After scoring a spectacular goal in the first leg, he celebrated with his usual dance, only to be booked by the referee.

Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni allegedly directed racial abuse at him, while Jose Mourinho suggested the Brazilian’s celebration had provoked the reaction. Vinicius answered in the second leg at the Bernabeu, scoring again and repeating the dance.

Neymar followed suit days later in Brazil.

“The dance was for Vinicius Jr. I told him that if he scored again, he should celebrate the same way, and if I scored, I would do the exact same thing," Neymar said to SporTV.

Neymar opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a precise finish into the bottom corner: a goal that mirrored Vinicius’ strike in Europe. Vasco da Gama equalised just before halftime, but Neymar settled the contest with a composed chip in the second half.

It was only the second time in six months he has scored more than once in a match, and his first goal since returning from injury. After a difficult spell marked by fitness concerns and criticism, the brace felt timely.

“Last week they said I was the worst player in the world," Neymar told SporTV post-match. “Soccer is like that … one day you are retired, another you have to go to the World Cup. I’m living one day at a time. I’m working, getting in the best possible form."

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