Neymar is a player accustomed to constant criticism. Whether it’s for his constant injuries, his long absences or even his weight, Ney is a player who is always being talked about, which is why the Brazilian No.10 is already used to facing negative comments about his behavior off the pitch.
This was demonstrated by the Brazilian when he responded with irony to those who question his professional commitment after being seen playing poker online during a weekend in which he did not participate with his team.
Neymar’s response that set social media on fire
Through his social networks, Neymar published a message that quickly went viral: “Today the day started with training and then a trip to the cinema with them. Oh, there was also a little bit of poker on the cell phone” accompanied by a laughing emoji.
The relaxed and sarcastic tone did not go unnoticed. For many fans, it was a way of downplaying the criticism; for others, it was confirmation that the player is not 100% focused on his career.
The controversy comes at a delicate time, as the player was not present in Santos‘ match against Cruzeiro due to “load management“.
Neymar spends more than 24 hours playing poker over the weekend
Recent reports from Leo Dias indicate that Neymar spent almost 24 hours playing online poker with high stakes, even on the same day as his team’s match.
This is not the first time that he has been linked with this activity, but the moment he is living has generated more noise, as his absence from the match and his simultaneous activity on digital platforms raised internal doubts about his priorities, especially when he is playing for his presence at the 2026 World Cup.
Injuries and doubts ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Beyond the controversy, Neymar’s biggest problem seems to be his physical condition. Since his serious ligament injury in 2023, the Brazilian has struggled to regain continuity.
His return to Santos FC generated excitement, but new muscle problems slowed his progress. This has set off alarm bells at the Brazilian Football Confederation, where there are already real doubts about his presence at the 2026 World Cup.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is leading the new Brazil project, has been clear in his approach: to prioritise players with rhythm, intensity and regularity. Under this principle, Neymar is far from being able to compete with the vast list of Brazilian players plying their trade in Europe. Nevertheless, Ney’s magic and experience are difficult to ignore, so he has a real chance of making the final list.
Read the full article here
