Neymar clashed with match officials after a substitution error during Santos’ 3-0 defeat against Cortiba in Brazilian Serie A on Sunday.
The incident came a day before Carlo Ancelotti named Brazil’s squad for the World Cup. Neymar, who continues to battle fitness problems, received treatment near the touchline in the 65th minute while play stopped on the opposite side of the pitch.
The 34-year-old failed to notice the fourth official raising his number 10 board. By the time he prepared to return, play had restarted and 18-year-old forward Robinho Jr had already entered the match.
Neymar ran back onto the pitch before the referee ordered him off again. The forward reacted angrily and demanded to see the substitution note that Santos staff had handed to the fourth official.
The note reportedly showed that coach Cuca intended to substitute number 31, Gonzalo Escobar. Santos only discovered the mistake after play resumed.
Santos already trailed by three goals at that stage and never recovered. The defeat pushed the club into the Serie A relegation places with the season entering its closing stretch.
Neymar entered the match under pressure to impress Ancelotti after the Brazil manager overlooked the striker in recent squads. Injuries have again disrupted Neymar’s campaign after knee surgery earlier this year.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has featured in only half of Santos’ 16 league matches this season. He has scored four goals and collected five yellow cards.
