Published On 10/11/2025
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Last update: 22:42 (Mecca time)
Neymar da Silva, the Brazilian star of Santos, sparked controversy with his angry behavior during his team’s match against Flamengo in the local league championship.
Santos suffered a new defeat, 2-3, in a match that took place at the famous Maracanã Stadium for the 33rd round, a loss that deepened the wounds of the team that is in the last four places leading to relegation, 5 rounds before the end.
Neymar participated for the first time since last September 14 after recovering from one of the many injuries that limited his continuity on the field since his return to Brazil in January 2025.
Despite his brilliance on a personal level during the match, it was Neymar’s actions that caught the spotlight after he attacked the referee of the match, and then publicly expressed his anger at the decision to replace him in the final minutes.
During a television interview at halftime, Neymar accused arena referee Savio Pereira Sampaio of being a “bad referee,” and also described him as “arrogant.”
During halftime between Flamengo and Santos, Neymar says that the team needs to look for him more in the final third and criticizes the referee: “In addition to being bad, with all due respect, he is arrogant.” pic.twitter.com/xMkXpBS0rv
— ge (@geglobo) November 9, 2025
Neymar claimed that the referee showed him a yellow card after he threatened not to approach him.
The second incident occurred when he was replaced by Argentine Juan Pablo Voevoda, coach of Santos, 5 minutes before the end of the match, as Neymar seemed dissatisfied with the coach’s decision.
NEYMAR DIDN’T LIKE HAVING LEFT! 😬 Vojvoda replaced Santos’ number 10 in the second half. The star didn’t understand the coach’s choice and left complaining. #Brazilian Football #BrasileirãoBetano #PostGame pic.twitter.com/JLgEM71obd
— TNT Sports BR (@TNTSportsBR) November 9, 2025
What is noteworthy is that Santos was trailing 0-3 before Neymar was replaced, and in the few minutes that followed his exit, the team succeeded in scoring two goals and was close to a draw.
Gabriel Bontempo scored the first goal for Santos (1-3) one minute before the end of regular time, before his teammate Lautaro Diaz added the second goal in the 91st minute.
Santos’ suffering
This is Santos’ 15th defeat in the Brazilian League this season, and they achieved only 8 wins and 9 draws.
Santos’ balance froze at 33 points, keeping it in 17th place in the standings, two points behind Vitoria, who is in 16th place, knowing that the former played one less match.
Santos has 6 matches remaining this season against Palmeiras, Mirasol, Internacional, Sport Recife, Juventude, and Cruzeiro, in which they will work hard to avoid relegation.
