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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Neymar starring for Santos</li><li>Labelled as a "genius"</li><li>Santos boss makes Messi point</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Neymar is a football genius' - Pedro Caixinha boss blown away by Brazilian superstar's Olimpico as Santos boss makes Lionel Messi point

<p>Santos head coach Caixinha heaped praise on the 33-year-old, after finding form at the Brazilian giants <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/santos-president-confirms-imminent-neymar-transfer-urges-brazil-star-come-back-be-happy-again-after-disastrous-al-hilal-spell/blt827d7a5257000fb6" target="_blank">since his move from Al-Hilal</a>. He also hopes that his team can help the ex-Barcelona star "grow" and be embraced by Brazil's fans, just as <a href="https://www.espn.com.br/futebol/santos/artigo/_/id/14836885/caixinha-chama-neymar-genio-show-santos-cita-messi-quer-ajudar-astro-causa-selecao" target="_blank">Messi went on to do at Argentina</a> following their 2022 World Cup triumph.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>After Santos' 3-0 win over Internacional de Limeira on Sunday, he told reporters: "Neymar is a football genius, but he is a very humble person, easy to get along with. He wants to win and compete. We have him at Santos as a cause. He could be at other levels of world football. This represents a lot of his relationship with Santos, the love he has for Santos, the confrontation zone he found here."</p><p>He added: "Argentina did this with Messi. Brazil should do this with Neymar. Our responsibility is to help him grow, to make him feel confident, happy, that he wanted to play and make a difference. If he finds it here, he will find it in the national team. Things can happen."</p>

WHAT PEDRO CAIXINHA SAID

<p>Following a slow start, Neymar has found his feet at Santos after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-explains-why-only-signed-six-month-contract-santos-amid-claims-he-s-lining-up-sensational-barcelona-return/bltd0ac92d9aed86e68" target="_blank">signing a six-month deal</a> with his boyhood club. The former Paris Saint-Germain star has scored two goals and bagged three assists in his last three games and if he keeps this up for a sustained period, a Brazil recall could be on the cards. That would have been unthinkable after having his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/al-hilal-terminate-neymar-contract-seven-appearances-homecoming-transfer-santos-imminent-brazil-superstar/bltebcaa300a092d91b" target="_blank">contract cancelled at Al-Hilal</a> and enduring an <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/doctors-warned-neymar-update-injury-al-hilal-return-acl/blt3c34165406afe597" target="_blank">injury-hit year or so</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Neymar, who completed 90 minutes for the first time in his second spell at Santos at the weekend, could next feature for his side in their Campeonato Paulista quarter-final at home to Bragantino on Saturday.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'Neymar is a football genius' - Pedro Caixinha boss blown away by Brazilian superstar's Olimpico as Santos boss makes Lionel Messi point | Goal.com

Santos boss Pedro Caixinha has hailed Neymar as a &quot;genius&quot;, while hoping he can take after Lionel Messi on the national stage.

&apos;Neymar is a football genius&apos; - Pedro Caixinha boss blown away by Brazilian superstar&apos;s Olimpico as Santos boss makes Lionel Messi point