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Neymar Mocks His Critics for Playing Poker as Doubts Grow About the 2026 World Cup
Neymar is back at the center of controversy. The Brazilian star responded with sarcasm to claims that he is neglecting his career because of poker. Meanwhile, his physical condition and absence from Santos raise new doubts about his chances of playing at the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar’s sarcastic response that set social media on fire
The career of Neymar has always been surrounded by debate. His talent is undeniable, but almost everything he does off the pitch quickly turns into headlines. This time, the Brazilian forward is trending again after responding with sarcasm to those who claim he is neglecting his career by playing poker.
The controversy began when the player was reportedly seen participating in online poker games during a weekend in which he did not play for Santos FC. Criticism quickly flooded social media, with many fans questioning his professional commitment at a delicate moment for the club.
Rather than ignoring the noise, Neymar chose to respond publicly. On social media he posted a message that rapidly went viral:
“Today started with training and then a trip to the movies… oh, and there was a little poker on the phone too,” accompanied by laughing emojis.
The relaxed and ironic tone did not go unnoticed. Some fans saw it as a direct jab at his critics, while others interpreted it as further proof that the star might not be fully focused on his football career.
The weekend that sparked the controversy
The timing of the message only added fuel to the debate. Neymar did not feature in the match between Santos and Cruzeiro, a crucial game for the club as it tries to climb away from the lower part of the table.
According to reports from Brazilian journalist Leo Dias, the forward allegedly spent nearly 24 hours participating in online poker tournaments over the weekend, including on the same day his team played.
The reports suggest he entered high-stakes tournaments, making several re-entries after elimination and spending thousands of dollars on buy-ins.
For many Brazilian fans, the issue is not that Neymar enjoys poker — something he has never tried to hide — but the context in which it happened, with his team struggling on the field and its biggest star absent from the lineup.
Santos tries to calm the situation
From the club’s perspective, the explanation was different. Santos stated that Neymar’s absence was due to “load management,” a strategy increasingly used in modern football to prevent injuries in players with delicate physical histories.
And Neymar’s physical condition remains a major concern. Since suffering a serious ligament injury in 2023, the Brazilian has struggled to regain consistent playing time.
His return to the club where he began his career generated huge excitement among supporters. However, recurring muscle problems and a lack of competitive rhythm have slowed his comeback.
The 2026 World Cup looms as the biggest question
Beyond the media noise, the real issue for Neymar could be his future with the Brazil national team.
According to sources close to the Brazilian Football Confederation, the new project led by Carlo Ancelotti prioritizes players with consistent playing time, intensity, and competitive rhythm — three factors that Neymar currently struggles to provide.
At 34 years old and after several injury setbacks, the Brazilian star may be facing the most uncertain chapter of his international career. His quality can still make the difference, but time is no longer on his side.
Meanwhile, social media remains divided. Some believe poker is simply another hobby for the Brazilian superstar. Others argue the episode highlights a deeper issue regarding priorities.
