Home » Neymar under fire for missing Santos game after Carnival partying

Neymar under fire for missing Santos game after Carnival partying

Neymar is under fire for missing a semifinal game with Santos after being spotted partying at Rio’s iconic Carnival.

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Neymar spotted at Carnival

Santos lost to archrival Corinthians 2-1 on Sunday in the semifinals of the Sao Paulo state championship, with Neymar watching from the sidelines for the full 90 minutes. 

The Brazil star claimed he had a “minor injury” but didn’t provide further details.

Days earlier, the striker was photographed at Rio de Janeiro’s Sambadrome, the iconic venue for the glitzy Carnival parade.

He recently recovered from an ACL tear that sidelined him for more than one year.

Santos did not reveal Neymar had any injuries before Sunday’s semifinal.

“All I wanted was to be on the pitch and help my teammates in some way,” Neymar said on Instagram.

“But last Thursday I felt a discomfort that prevented me from being on the pitch. We took a test this morning and I ended up feeling it again.”

Santos coach Pedro Caixinha said he requested Neymar to stay on the bench despite his injury.

“It was just a discomfort, but it meant he couldn’t participate. It was my request and he agreed to be with the squad,” Caixinha told a news conference after the game.

“He’s a different player, he is enlightened and has fantastic energy. Neymar suffered a lot for not being able to participate in the game.”

Santos president clears the air

Neymar’s Carnival appearance drew criticism from pundits, who claimed he isn’t focused on his career.

The 33-year-old is attempting to revive his career at Santos after stints with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Al Hilal.

Santos president Marcelo Teixeira told local media that Neymar underwent multiple examinations from Friday to Sunday.

“It is a precaution, we understood we shouldn’t [play him],” Teixeira said.

“It is not about the national team, it is because he had not conditions [to play]. He is in a process of recovery. We need to understand that.”

Amid heavy criticism of their star player, Santos later released a video of a tearful Neymar addressing his teammates in the dressing room before the semifinal.

“It is very hard to be out in moments like this. I am trying to control myself in every way, not show the sadness I am feeling,” the striker said.

“If you can, run for me. I wish I could be with you, running for each of you. You don’t know how desperate I am in my heart.”