Santos superstar Neymar missed his club's Copa Sudamericana victory to attend a poker tournament, though manager Cuca insists the absence was planned.

Neymar Jr. continues to polarize opinion in Brazil, even after stepping away from the international stage. While his Santos teammates were securing a vital 4-1 victory against Universidad Central in the Copa Sudamericana, the 34-year-old icon was miles away from the pitch in Venezuela. Instead, Neymar was spotted at the Golden Hall of the WTC Complex in São Paulo, competing in the Winter edition of the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP). The sight of their marquee player at a card table while the team battled in continental competition has ignited a fierce debate about priorities and professional optics.

A Planned Fitness Break

Despite the external noise, Santos manager Cuca was quick to defend his star player’s absence. Following the comprehensive win, the veteran coach clarified that Neymar’s exclusion from the traveling squad was a calculated decision aimed at long-term fitness rather than an act of indiscipline. Cuca explained that because Neymar had not taken a formal holiday following a taxing World Cup campaign, the club decided to implement a specialized training block to ensure he can handle a congested domestic schedule that features four matches in the next ten days.

The manager argued that the exhausting trip to Venezuela would have been counterproductive for a player currently working to regain 100 percent fitness. By staying behind in São Paulo, Neymar was able to work on his conditioning alongside other senior figures like Joao Schmidt and Igor Vinicius. Cuca’s strategy appears focused on having Neymar fully sharp for the club’s domestic campaign, where Santos are currently languishing in 15th place in the league table. For the manager, the advantage of a rested Neymar for the weekend fixture against Chapecoense far outweighed a cameo appearance in a continental playoff.

The Poker Professional

Neymar’s passion for poker is no secret, and his appearance at the BSOP was part of his ongoing participation in the national championship. The forward has a history of success at the table, having previously pocketed R$53,500 during the 2025 edition of the tournament. While the timing was unfortunate from a public relations standpoint, his presence in São Paulo was entirely sanctioned by the club’s hierarchy. The icon shared videos of himself scoring goals in training just hours before the poker event, attempting to show that his dedication to the Peixe remains intact.

The Brazilian icon has become a frequent fixture at high-stakes tournaments, often using them as a mental escape from the pressures of elite football. However, the juxtaposition of a poker hall and a football pitch remains a point of contention for traditionalists. In Brazil, where the sport is followed with religious fervor, the sight of a captain-level figure choosing cards over a continental clash is often viewed through a lens of fading commitment, regardless of the medical reasoning behind it.

Life After the Selecao

This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of a significant transition in Neymar’s career. The forward recently announced his retirement from the Brazilian national team following their heartbreaking exit from the 2026 World Cup at the hands of Norway. Having scored 80 goals in 130 appearances, Neymar left the pitch at MetLife Stadium in tears, marking the end of an era for the five-time world champions. Now focused entirely on club football, the expectations on him at Santos have reached a fever pitch as the club fights to avoid a disastrous league season.

The graphic shows the star in a moment of reflection, a familiar sight since his emotional departure from the international stage. Without the burden of the national team captaincy, many expected Neymar to fully immerse himself in the day-to-day life of Santos. While his training performances are reportedly high, the occasional high-profile social appearances ensure that he remains a lightning rod for criticism. The club needs his leadership on the pitch more than ever, especially with a grueling series of matches on the horizon that will define their season.

Santos Shine Without Their Talisman

In a surprising twist, the team’s performance in Venezuela suggested they might be less dependent on their No. 10 than previously thought. The 4-1 victory was a dominant display of attacking football that has virtually guaranteed Santos a place in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. Even without Neymar’s creative spark, Cuca’s side looked cohesive and dangerous, clinical in their finishing and organized in their defensive transition. This result provides a much-needed boost to morale ahead of their return to domestic duties.

The comfortable margin of victory allows the manager to shift his entire focus back to the league, where the situation is far more precarious. If Santos can finish the job in the second leg at the Vila Belmiro, they are slated to face Ecuadorian side Macara in the next round. The continental success offers a potential path to silverware and a distraction from their league struggles, but the ultimate goal remains climbing the table. For that, Cuca insists he needs Neymar at his physical peak.

The Weekend Return

The real test of Cuca’s decision will come this Saturday when Santos host Chapecoense. The manager has already confirmed that Neymar will be back in the starting lineup, and the pressure will be on the superstar to deliver a performance that justifies his midweek absence. A dominant display at the Vila Belmiro would quickly silence the critics, while a sluggish performance would only fuel the narrative that the poker table is becoming a distraction.

Neymar’s career has always been a blend of incredible talent and public spectacle. At 34, he remains the most technically gifted player in the country, capable of moments of magic that few others can replicate. As he navigates this final chapter of his career, the balance between his personal interests and his professional obligations will continue to be a subject of intense scrutiny. For Santos fans, the only thing that matters is that their hero is ready when the whistle blows on Saturday. more football news on MATCHLINE