Neymar protests wrongful substitution in Santos defeat to Coritiba
Brazil forward Neymar was involved in a furious altercation with officials after being wrongly substituted during Santos’ 3-0 defeat by Coritiba on the eve of the World Cup squad announcement.
The 34-year-old was aiming to impress just one day before national team manager Carlo Ancelotti names his selection for this summer’s tournament.
However, the veteran attacker was controversially withdrawn after 65 minutes for Robinho Jr.
The fourth official raised the number 10 on his electronic board while the Brazilian star was temporarily off the pitch receiving treatment for a calf injury.
Bizarre touchline mix-up leads to yellow card
It appeared that team-mate Gonzalo Escobar was the intended player to make way in the second half.
An incensed Neymar received a yellow card after attempting to re-enter the field of play to rectify the situation.
The frustrated forward then snatched the substitution slip from the technical area officials, holding it up to a television camera to prove Escobar was meant to be withdrawn.
He eventually accepted his fate, leaving the pitch and handing the captain’s armband to his colleague.
Santos condemn ‘inexplicable error’
The South American club quickly released a statement on social media to clarify the touchline chaos.
“The fourth official got the substitution wrong. This was confirmed by the television coverage and by the note used by the officials during the substitution. An inexplicable error that was not corrected.”
World Cup ambitions hang in the balance
The nation’s all-time leading goalscorer currently boasts 79 international goals but has not featured for his country since 2023 following a string of severe injuries.
The prolific talisman recently extended his club contract until the end of 2026 in a determined bid to secure a final global tournament appearance.
Ancelotti’s squad will begin their campaign against Morocco on 13 June, before facing Haiti and Scotland in a group stage hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States.