Santos superstar Neymar has hit back at critics who questioned his presence at a poker tournament during a period of recovery. The 34-year-old forward defended his professional commitment, explaining that the event took place on a scheduled day off and coincided with his return to full training following post-World Cup rest.
Neymar has broken his silence following intense backlash over his decision to compete in a poker tournament while Santos played a crucial Copa Sudamericana tie. The 34-year-old superstar posted a cryptic social media response as he continues to recover from Brazil's shock World Cup exit and his subsequent retirement from international football.
Santos superstar Neymar was a notable absentee from the squad as Cuca's side secured a dominant victory in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday night. Rather than flying to Venezuela for the continental clash, the Brazilian icon was spotted competing in a professional poker tournament in Sao Paulo.
Brazilian forward Neymar is back on the training pitch with Santos, looking sharp and scoring goals in a recently shared video. The return to domestic action comes swiftly after a heartbreaking exit from the 2026 World Cup, which culminated in his emotional international retirement and intense scrutiny over how his fitness was managed during the tournament.
Brazil icon Neymar has wasted no time finding a new competitive outlet following the Selecao's disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign. The 34-year-old was spotted at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas just days after his country was eliminated from the tournament by Norway.