Gabigol Threatened by Santos Ultras During Official Presentation
A shocking moment overshadowed Gabigol’s return to Santos as ultras delivered a direct warning during his official unveiling.
A Disturbing Moment at Vila Belmiro
What was supposed to be a celebratory homecoming quickly turned unsettling. Gabriel “Gabigol” Barbosa experienced a tense and uncomfortable situation during his official presentation as a new Santos player, as members of the club’s ultra group delivered a thinly veiled threat in front of the press.
While posing for photos at the press conference, several ultras stepped onto the stage to present gifts and take pictures with the striker. One of them, speaking into a microphone that captured everything clearly, addressed Gabigol with a chilling message: “You’re in debt. You already know how things work here…” The comment immediately raised alarm and cast a shadow over the event.
Reuniting With Neymar and World Cup Ambitions
Despite the incident, Gabigol remained composed and focused on football. During the presentation, he emphasized his excitement about reuniting with Neymar, describing him as both an idol and a close friend. The forward expressed his determination to help Neymar return to top form and secure a place in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
“Neymar is my idol and my friend. We’ve always been happy together on and off the pitch,” Gabigol said. “We want to help him because Brazil needs him at the World Cup.”
The two stars reunite at Santos after having shared historic moments with the Brazilian national team, including winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, even though their paths barely crossed during their first spell at the club.
More Than Just Two Stars
Gabigol was quick to stress that Santos’ ambitions go beyond individual names. “Santos isn’t just Neymar and Gabigol,” he said. “It’s more than 11 players. We need a strong team if we want to fight for titles.”
The 29-year-old striker, who arrives on loan from Cruzeiro, insisted he is in excellent physical condition and eager to make an immediate impact. He also rejected any suggestion that returning to Santos represents a step backward in his career, despite the club’s recent financial struggles and narrow escape from relegation in 2025.
“If coming back to the best club on Earth is a step back, then there is no better step back than this,” Gabigol stated confidently.
Final Note
Gabigol promised commitment, effort, and dedication to the Santos supporters, but the incident with the ultras served as a stark reminder of the intense pressure that surrounds his return. His second chapter at Vila Belmiro has begun with ambition, emotion—and controversy.
