Neymar scored for the first time in 16 months after his penalty set Santos on the way to a 3-1 win over Agua Santa in the Paulista Championship on Sunday and the Brazil forward said he was happy to be playing again after a long injury absence.

Neymar has scored his first goal for Santos since returning to Brazil. Finding the net from the spot in a Sao Paulo state championship match will provide the 33-year-old forward some relief after a tough restart in Brazil.

Brazil star Neymar, who rejoined boyhood club Santos last month, has thanked the team and fans for helping him "rediscover joy" following the end of his long goal drought in Sunday's 3-1 win over Agua Santa.