Neymar's lack of goals recently has given his critics plenty of ammunition to write him off, but the winger ended his drought in style with a double in Santos’ 2-1 league win over Vasco da Gama, boosting his hopes of making Brazil's World Cup squad.
Before Thursday's game, the 34-year-old last scored in December and after recently returning from knee surgery, he is still working towards peak fitness.
"Last week they said I was the worst player in the world. Today I scored two goals, and that's what matters," Neymar told SporTV.
"That's football. One day you're no good or you're 'retired'; the next, people say you have to go to the World Cup.
"This was my third game of the year and only my second full 90 minutes. I felt some cramping at the end, but that's just part of the process."
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer has not featured for the national team since October 2023 amid a horror run of injuries and coach Carlo Ancelotti has said he will only pick players who are 100 per cent game-ready.
The World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States from June 11 to July 19.