Neymar hits back at criticism after attending a poker tournament during his Santos absence, insisting he remains committed to training and recovery.
Neymar responds to criticism after poker appearance during Santos absence
Neymar has once again defended his professionalism and commitment to football after being criticised for attending a poker tournament in São Paulo while unavailable for Santos.
The 34-year-old forward missed Wednesday’s Copa Sudamericana match against Venezuelan side Universidad Central, a game Santos won comfortably by 4-1. His absence had already raised questions about his physical condition, and the discussion intensified when images emerged of him taking part in the poker event.
For some supporters and commentators, the timing of the appearance created an unfortunate impression. Neymar was not fit enough to help Santos in an important continental fixture, yet he was seen participating in a public event away from the club.
The Brazilian international, however, insists that the criticism ignored an important detail: the poker tournament took place during his scheduled time off and did not interfere with his recovery or training programme.
Neymar has since used social media to respond directly to those questioning his dedication. The forward published images showing his work at Santos and reacted sarcastically to the attention surrounding his activities away from football.
“I was leaving training and remembered that, on my day off, a lot of people said I did not play enough,” Neymar said.
“Now I am getting ready for training and I want to ask: ‘Am I allowed to train, or are you going to say something about that as well?’ Mind your own business.”
The response reflected Neymar’s frustration at what he considers excessive scrutiny of his personal life. Throughout his career, the forward has frequently found his activities away from the pitch becoming part of the wider debate about his performances, injuries and professional priorities.
On this occasion, Neymar’s position is that he fulfilled his responsibilities to Santos and used his free time in the same way any other player would be entitled to do.
He also made clear that appearing at a poker tournament should not be interpreted as evidence that he is neglecting his physical preparation. The player has regularly shared footage and photographs from training as he attempts to regain the condition required to return to competitive football.
The controversy comes during another delicate period in Neymar’s career. He has not played for Santos since returning from international duty with Brazil at the 2026 World Cup and has now spent more than two months away from club competition.
That absence has naturally increased concern among Santos supporters, particularly because Neymar remains the most prominent player in the squad and one of the central figures in the club’s sporting project.
Every delay to his return therefore attracts significant attention. Santos supporters are eager to see him back on the pitch, while the Brazilian media continue to closely follow every stage of his recovery.
The club have avoided placing unnecessary pressure on Neymar and appear determined to ensure that he only returns when he is physically prepared. Given his recent injury history, rushing him back could increase the risk of another setback.
Neymar’s fitness has been one of the main subjects surrounding his career in recent seasons. Although his technical quality remains widely recognised, repeated physical problems have prevented him from playing with the regularity expected of a footballer of his profile.
His participation in the World Cup demonstrated that he could still perform at the highest international level, but returning to the demands of club football has required a careful process.
Competitive matches demand much more than simply completing training sessions. Neymar must recover his rhythm, endurance and confidence before he can safely be exposed to the intensity of a full match.
Santos also need to consider the number of minutes he can initially play. Even if he is included in the squad against Chapecoense, it would not necessarily mean he is ready to complete the entire match.
A gradual return could see him begin on the bench or play only part of the second half. That approach would allow the coaching staff to evaluate his response without placing excessive strain on his body.
The match on Saturday at 10.30pm now carries additional interest because it could mark Neymar’s long-awaited return. Santos face Chapecoense knowing that the presence of their star forward would provide an emotional lift to both the team and the supporters.
His return would also allow the discussion to move away from social media and back towards football. Neymar is aware that the most effective response to criticism will come through his performances rather than online exchanges.
At the same time, the forward clearly feels entitled to defend himself when he believes the criticism has crossed the line. His message suggested that he is tired of every activity in his private life being presented as proof of a lack of commitment.
Poker has long been one of Neymar’s most visible interests outside football. His enthusiasm for the game is well known, and he has participated in tournaments and promotional events on several occasions.
That interest has sometimes generated controversy, particularly when it has coincided with periods in which he was injured or unavailable. Critics argue that a player attempting to recover should avoid public appearances that could create doubts about his priorities.
Neymar and those close to him take a different view. They argue that recovery does not require a footballer to remain isolated at home and that players are entitled to enjoy their free time as long as they follow the club’s medical and training instructions.
The debate therefore extends beyond one poker tournament. It reflects the wider expectations placed on famous footballers and the difficulty of separating their professional obligations from their personal lives.
Neymar has lived under that pressure since emerging as one of the most exciting young players in Brazilian football. His actions, appearance and lifestyle have been analysed for much of his senior career.
That level of attention has only increased since his return to Santos. The move carried enormous emotional significance, but it also created expectations that have been difficult to satisfy while he remains unavailable.
Supporters hoped his experience and creativity would immediately transform the team. Instead, physical problems have limited his contribution and created uncertainty over how regularly he will be able to play.
For Santos, managing that situation requires patience. Neymar can still provide qualities that few other players in Brazilian football possess, but the club cannot build every tactical and sporting decision around the assumption that he will always be available.
The team’s 4-1 victory over Universidad Central showed that Santos are capable of producing a strong performance without him. That result may reduce some of the immediate pressure, although Neymar’s return would still significantly strengthen the attacking options.
His ability to create chances, draw defenders and decide matches in individual moments remains extremely valuable. Even if he is no longer able to play every minute of every game, Neymar can still influence important fixtures when properly managed.
The coaching staff must therefore find the right balance between protecting him and helping him regain competitive rhythm. Too much caution could delay his progress, while an overly aggressive return could lead to another injury.
Saturday’s match against Chapecoense could provide the first indication of how close Neymar is to full availability. His involvement in the final training sessions will be closely monitored before a decision is made.
If he returns, the atmosphere around the match is likely to be very different. Santos supporters have waited more than two months to see him wearing the club shirt again, and even a short appearance would attract enormous attention.
Neymar will also know that his physical condition will be examined from the moment he enters the pitch. Every sprint, challenge and reaction will be analysed for signs that he is ready to contribute consistently.
That scrutiny is unlikely to disappear, regardless of his response on social media. As one of the most famous players in world football, Neymar remains subject to standards and expectations that are rarely applied to ordinary members of a squad.
His challenge is to prevent that external discussion from becoming a distraction. The priority for both player and club is completing the recovery process and ensuring that his return is sustainable.
Neymar’s message was direct: playing poker during a day off does not mean he has abandoned his responsibilities as a professional footballer.
Whether the public accepts that explanation may depend on what happens next. A successful return against Chapecoense and a consistent run of matches would quickly reduce the criticism.
Another delay or fresh setback, however, would ensure that questions about his fitness and commitment continue to dominate the conversation.
For now, Neymar insists that he is training, working and preparing to return. Santos must decide whether Saturday is the right moment to bring their star player back into competition.
After weeks of rehabilitation and another public disagreement with his critics, Neymar is approaching an important stage. His next appearance could offer him the opportunity to move beyond the controversy and once again make football the main subject of discussion.
