Neymar silences criticism. mind your own business

In Brazil, Neymar caused controversy again when he missed his team Santos’ last match while participating in a two-day poker tournament in Sao Paulo.

Brazil’s World Cup 2026 campaign ended with defeat to Norway and Neymar was rested for several days amid expectations that he would return for the crucial stage of the season, but his absence from the final game sparked widespread criticism.

The newspaper reported.come on“Neymar was heavily criticized for his performance at the World Cup under manager Carlo Ancelotti, as many saw him fail to provide the reinforcements expected and he was also hesitant to return to competition.

In a video he posted on his official account at the Santos training center, Neymar said: “I was here getting ready for the second practice and I remembered that a lot of people were talking about me playing poker on my day off.”

He continued. “I trained in the morning, did not participate in the match, then returned to training. It was my day off, but they were still talking. I am preparing for training. Can I train or will you continue to criticize me, mind your own business?

Despite Neymar’s absence, Santos cruised to a 4-1 win over Venezuela’s Central University to move closer to qualifying for the next round of the Copa Sudamericana.

Neymar is expected to return to action next Saturday when Santos face Chapecoense in the Brazilian league.