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SportsNeymar skips Santos match to play poker, eliminated early
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Brazilian footballer Neymar did not travel with Santos to Venezuela for a Copa Sudamericana match due to a rotation policy, instead participating in a poker tournament in Rio de Janeiro. The 34-year-old, who recently concluded Brazil's 2026 World Cup campaign with a Round of 16 exit, was absent from the previous league match and opted to compete in the Brazilian Series of Poker Winter Stage. He was eliminated before the money rounds by Colombian professional Juan Sebastián Fonseca Chávez, who noted Neymar played well but could improve. Neymar's poker hobby previously sparked controversy at Paris Saint-Germain, with Kylian Mbappé criticizing his participation during a crucial season phase. Santos' head coach defended the decision, citing the need for rest and physical training ahead of a packed schedule of four matches in ten days. Neymar is expected to return for the league match against Chapecoense on Saturday.
Source report
2 minutes ago
Hupu Football News — July 23rd. According to reports, Neymar did not travel with Santos to Venezuela for their away Copa Sudamericana match due to a rest rotation. The Brazilian star instead used the time to participate in a poker tournament held in Rio de Janeiro.
Neymar has just concluded his 2026 World Cup campaign, with Brazil eliminated in the Round of 16 after a 1-2 loss to Norway. Despite the domestic league still ongoing, he has not yet returned to Santos. The 34-year-old was absent from last week's league match against Botafogo and subsequently did not travel with the team to Venezuela for the away fixture against UCV FC.
While his teammates secured a 4-1 victory early Wednesday morning, gaining an advantage in the Copa Sudamericana playoff, Neymar was competing in a poker event in Rio. He took part in the Brazilian Series of Poker Winter Edition—which he also attended last year—and shared multiple photos on social media with the caption "Life is a joke," poking fun at himself.
However, Neymar failed to make it into the money. The Colombian professional player who eliminated him, Juan Sebastián Fonseca Chávez, told ESPN Brazil:
"He laughed after being eliminated and joked with me—the atmosphere was relaxed. He actually played quite well, but he might need to study a bit more. If he could apply the same discipline he has in football to poker, he would become a very, very good player."
Neymar's passion for poker is long-standing and sparked controversy during his time at Paris Saint-Germain. At that time, Kylian Mbappé implicitly criticized him after seeing Neymar participate in a poker event during a crucial phase of the season, saying he needed to "eat well and sleep well." Now serving as a brand ambassador for the Brazilian betting platform that organizes the Winter Edition, Neymar continues this hobby.
Coach's Response
Santos' head coach commented:
"Neymar was given a few days off, which is normal because he hasn't had a break. We decided to have him focus on physical training to prepare for the packed schedule. We have four matches in the next ten days—what benefit would bringing him along bring? You saw it too, the travel is exhausting, and it's hard to maintain form. He stayed here to train hard, which gives us more options. I think it was a very sensible decision."
Expected Return
Neymar is expected to return for the league match against Chapecoense on Saturday.
Source: RMC Sport Posted in: Shanghai Reads: 248
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虎扑 - 足球Neutral / independent
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Neymar Skips Santos Match to Play Poker, Eliminated Early