Neymar Jr. Responds to Poker Criticism
Neymar Jr. has hit back at the harsh criticism he faced for attending a poker tournament instead of supporting his team. The Brazilian soccer star, annoyed by the backlash, told his critics to “mind your own business.”
After a tough experience at the 2026 World Cup in North America, where he hoped to shine with Brazil, Neymar returned to Brazil and found himself in hot water again. On the same night his former club, Santos, faced Universidad Central in the Copa Sudamericana playoffs, Neymar was busy competing in a Brazilian poker championship.
Despite Santos securing a 4-1 victory in that match, much of the attention turned to Neymar’s absence and his poker game. This led to a wave of criticism directed at him, compelling Neymar to speak out in a video a couple of days later.
In the video, an upset Neymar stated, “I was preparing for my second training session when I heard all the talk about my poker game on my day off. I trained earlier in the day, skipped the match, and then returned to training. I was just resting.”
He continued, expressing his frustration at the constant scrutiny. “They keep talking, anyway. Am I allowed to train, or will they criticize me for that, too? Mind your own business,” he concluded, visibly upset and slapping his phone down. He also took to Instagram, sharing moments from the tournament with the caption, “Life is a joke.”
Neymar had resumed training with Santos on July 17 after some time off following Brazil’s World Cup exit. He’s currently on an individual training program to get back in shape. Santos manager, Cuca, decided it was best for Neymar to stay behind instead of traveling to Venezuela for the match, focusing instead on his preparation for the games ahead.
Cuca explained, “We have four games in ten days. What’s the point of bringing him along?” He mentioned that Neymar needed some time to build his strength again after a brief period away from the game.
What Lies Ahead for Neymar Jr.?
Neymar recently announced his retirement from the Brazil national team after playing his last match during the World Cup. He scored in the 2-1 loss to Norway, and now, as he continues with Santos, the future looks uncertain.
While he did extend his contract with Santos to cover the next six months, his next steps remain unclear. He may retire before hitting 35, move to a different club, or continue his journey with Santos.
All these questions will likely be addressed at the end of the season. For now, Cuca has indicated that Neymar is expected to join the squad for Santos’ upcoming match against bottom-ranked Chapecoense in Brazil’s Serie A, as the team aims for a crucial win to help them avoid relegation.
