Neymar is a player who is used to constant criticism. Whether it’s due to repeated injuries, long-term absences or even his weight, Ney is always a player in the headlines, which is why the Brazilian No. 10 is already used to receiving negative comments about his behavior off the pitch.
The Brazilian player was spotted playing poker online over the weekend when he wasn’t with the team, as evidenced by his sarcastic response to those who questioned his professional commitments.
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Neymar’s reaction set social media ablaze
Neymar published a message on his social networks with a laughing emoji, which quickly went viral. “Today I started the day with training and then went to the movies with the guys. Oh, and I played a little poker on my phone too.”
The relaxed, sarcastic tone didn’t go unnoticed. For many fans, this was a way to downplay the criticism. For others, it was confirmation that the player was not 100% focused on his career.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time, as the player did not play in the match between Santos and Cruzeiro due to “load management” reasons.
Neymar plays poker for more than 24 hours on weekends
According to a recent report from Leo Dias, Neymar spent almost 24 hours playing high-stakes online poker, even on the same day as his team’s matches.
This is not the first time he has been linked to this activity, but his moment of survival has caused further uproar, as his absence from matches and simultaneous activity on digital platforms have raised internal doubts about his priorities, especially if he is playing for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Injuries and doubts ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Beyond the controversy, Neymar’s biggest issue seems to be his fitness. The Brazilian has struggled to regain continuity since sustaining a serious ligament injury in 2023.
His return to Santos FC was exciting, but new muscle issues slowed his progress. This has set off alarm bells for the Brazilian Football Federation, and his presence at the 2026 World Cup is already in big doubt.
Carlo Ancelotti, head of Brazil’s new project, has made clear his approach will prioritize players with rhythm, intensity and regularity. Under this principle, Neymar cannot compete with the huge list of Brazilian players active in Europe. Nevertheless, Ney’s magic and experience are hard to ignore, so he has a real chance of making the final list.
