Confusion in Belém expands Neymar's controversies since returning to Santos

At the Estádio do Mangueirão, in Belém, after the 1-0 victory over Remo, the number 10 exchanged intense insults and provocations with the management team of the team from Pará. The incident, recorded on video, shows the attacker exasperated, repeatedly repeating the word "eliminated" and directing insults at his opponents.

The scene, which quickly went viral on social media, culminated in the president of the rival club, Antônio Carlos Teixeira, known as Tonhão, classifying the athlete as a "tramp" and openly criticizing the childish idolatry built around his figure.

The player's behavior also had repercussions in the international press. In Spain, the daily Mundo Deportivo described him as "completely out of control", while Marca highlighted that the star "lost his head while venting all his frustration".

The conflict is just the most recent occurrence in a series of turbulent moments accumulated throughout 2026.

In April, the player generated controversy when he used the expression "de chico" to refer to a referee, in a game against Remo himself for the Brazilian Championship. The speech, considered misogynistic, led Neymar to publicly apologize, claiming ignorance of the meaning of the expression.

A few days later, the number 10's irritation turned to the fans. After a draw against Deportivo Recoleta, from Paraguay, in the Copa Sudamericana, Neymar argued with a fan who criticized him, calling him "spoiled".

The player even said: "I'm giving my life here. I'm going to give you a minute of fame." Later, in a post on Instagram, the number 10 apologized and promised not to react to provocations anymore.

Still in April, after a defeat to Fluminense in Vila Belmiro, Neymar left the field with his hands over his ears, a gesture interpreted by many as a provocation to the fans who booed the team. The player, however, justified himself on social media, stating that he was just "scratching his ear" and criticized the intensity of the repercussion.

May brought the biggest controversy since the return to Vila Belmiro. During training, he got involved in a fight with young Robinho Jr., exchanging shoves and tripping him. The incident was resolved with a public apology from Neymar, who minimized what happened as "football things".

For the Brazilian team, in Brazil's elimination against Norway in the last World Cup, Neymar exchanged provocations with goalkeeper Orjan Nyland before a penalty kick.

Before the penalty, Neymar asked: "where do you want the penalty?" Nyland replied: "on the beam". After converting, the Brazilian ran towards his opponent and mocked him, smiling, saying: "Not with me. Not with me. Sucker."

Even off the field, Neymar also did not escape criticism. While recovering to return after participating in the World Cup, the player appeared publicly to compete in a stage of the Brazilian Poker Championship, in São Paulo, at the same time that the club was facing a decisive match in the South American Championship. Neymar countered the criticism, stating that he was off and that people should "mind their own business".

More recently, he was once again the subject of an alleged harsh charge against young Santos youth players, Gabriel Bontempo and João Ananias, after a game against Chapecoense. Afterwards, he mitigated the case on his Instagram account, stating that there was a general charge for competitiveness and denied that the scolding was directed only at younger athletes.

In 2025, the main confusions were recorded in disagreements with the club's own fans. In July, in Mirassol, Neymar responded to fans of the country team who were insulting him. The number 10 pointed to the stars on the shield of Santos, two-time world champion, and made the "small" sign with his fingers.

Days later, against Internacional, in Vila Belmiro, he went to the side of the pitch to argue with the fan who was shouting. He only left there after being pulled by goalkeeper João Paulo.

The confusion in Belém could still have consequences. The Prosecutor's Office of the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) analyzes the images of the incidents in Mangueirão to evaluate a possible complaint.

Neymar runs the risk of being covered by article 258 of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD), which deals with conduct contrary to discipline or sporting ethics. If the complaint is formalized and the player is convicted, the expected penalty varies from one to six matches of suspension.

This Wednesday (5), the player used his social networks to mock the Remo president's insult. Neymar published a photo of himself relaxing on a luxury yacht, accompanied by the caption "vagabundeando", in a clear provocation to the leader.

In another post, alongside his wife and daughter Mavie, he listed the goals he recently set as having been achieved: attending the charity auction at the institute that bears his name, where he was criticized for not traveling with the team, helping Santos qualify for the Copa do Brasil and enjoying the rest day.

This season, Neymar played in 19 of the 41 matches played by Santos. He scored eight goals and contributed five assists.