Brazilian star Neymar has revealed that the taunts from the crowd motivated him to score a spectacular goal in Santos's 3-0 victory over Internacional de Limeira in the Paulista Championship on Sunday.

The 33-year-old said he experienced the taunt when he went to play a corner kick which resulted in him getting an assist.

He then delivered a 27th-minute strike that caught goalkeeper Igo Gabriel off guard, a goal that drew cheers from opposition fans.

“I went to take the corner, they provoked me,” Neymar said in a post-match briefing.

“I asked them to sing louder, I struck the ball and got an assist. Then, the second time I went there [to the corner], they did it again, so I thought to myself: ‘Now I’m the one who’s going to score the goal’ [laughs].

“I hit a great shot and managed to score my first ‘Olympic goal,'” he added.

Neymar returned to Santos in a six months contract to enable him regain form which was deleted by series of injuries.

“I’m going game by game, getting ready and feeling better on the field,” he said.

“I’m not going back to being 19 years old—how much I miss it—but I feel better and more relaxed.”

He's also expecting to be fit ahead of Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.

“Regarding the call-up, I’m there,” Neymar said. “Each player’s desire is to defend the country, and for me, it has always been an honour. If I have the opportunity to return, I will be very happy.”

ASA