SAO PAULO — Neymar, a renowned Brazilian striker, faced criticism over his absence during a crucial semifinal match with Santos, especially since he was recently spotted at the famous Rio Carnival. Santos suffered a 2-1 defeat to their fierce rivals, Corinthians, in the Sao Paulo state championship semifinals held on Sunday. Throughout the entire match, Neymar remained on the bench, sparking questions and backlash regarding his absence.
On Monday, Neymar attributed his absence to a minor injury, though he did not provide specific details. Curiously, just days prior, he was photographed celebrating at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, the iconic location for the glamorous Carnival festival. This sighting was immediately after he had been substituted during a March 2 match, reportedly due to a left thigh injury. Neymar, who recently rejoined Santos after recovering from a significant ACL injury that had him sidelined for over a year, still finds himself under scrutiny.
Santos did not announce any injury concerns related to Neymar before the semifinals on Sunday, which added to the speculation. Addressing the situation on Instagram, Neymar expressed his desire to support his team on the field but noted discomfort that hindered his participation. “We conducted a test this morning, which confirmed the issue,” he relayed to his followers.
Pedro Caixinha, the Santos coach, mentioned his decision to have Neymar remain on the bench was primarily precautionary because of the supposed discomfort. Caixinha emphasized Neymar’s willingness to support his teammates, describing him as a unique player with exceptional energy. He lamented Neymar’s inability to contribute in the match.
Despite these explanations, many pundits accused Neymar of prioritizing leisure over his professional responsibilities. Walter Casagrande Jr., a noted commentator, remarked that Neymar’s recent actions mirrored a pattern observed over the last few years, suggesting he often favored pleasure over professional commitments. This criticism was intensified owing to Neymar’s intent to rejuvenate his career with Santos after his stints at global clubs like Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Al-Hilal.
Santos President Marcelo Teixeira addressed the media, confirming Neymar had undergone multiple evaluations from Friday through Sunday but was deemed unfit to play against Corinthians. Teixeira assured that the decision was solely based on wanting to protect Neymar’s health, dismissing claims that it was related to preserving him for the national team. “He is amidst a recovery process. Understanding this is crucial,” Teixeira noted.
In the aftermath of the semifinal, Spanish newspaper Marca dubbed Neymar’s outing as “Neymar’s saddest Carnival after being tossed by Barcelona; on the bench and knocked out.” Despite these events, Neymar has demonstrated his prowess on the field, recording three goals and as many assists in just seven outings since returning to Santos. His performance was compelling enough for Brazil’s coach, Dorival Jr., to select him for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
Looking forward, Neymar’s subsequent appearance for Santos is slated for March 29, following the international hiatus, as they face Vasco da Gama in the opening match of the Brazilian league. Santos will be competing in the country’s top league after securing promotion despite their 2023 relegation.
