Neymar Imitates Vinicius With Furious Tantrum After Being Substituted
Neymar’s return to Santos ended in frustration, controversy, and a tantrum worthy of Vinicius. The Brazilian once again lost his cool after being substituted in the middle of a defeat.
A Comeback That Promised More
After nearly two months sidelined with injury, Neymar returned to the starting lineup for Santos at the Maracanã, facing Flamengo in the Brasileirão. The match was meant to mark his long-awaited comeback, but it only reignited doubts about his physical condition. The Brazil national team’s all-time top scorer is still hoping to earn a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the 2026 World Cup, but his form remains far from convincing.
The former Barcelona and PSG star excited fans in the first half with two moments of brilliance: first, a diving header from an Álvaro Barreal cross that went inches wide, and later a free kick that forced Agustín Rossi into a spectacular save. But as the second half wore on, his influence faded, and with five minutes left and Flamengo leading 3–0, he was substituted for Benjamín Rollheiser.
The Tantrum and the Remarks That Lit Up Brazil
The substitution unleashed Neymar’s fury. Clearly frustrated, he ignored his teammates and coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda, heading straight down the tunnel without a word — an outburst that immediately drew comparisons to Vinicius Jr.’s recent meltdowns at Real Madrid.
Earlier, during halftime, Neymar had already made headlines by criticizing referee Sávio Pereira Sampaio, calling him “arrogant” and “terrible,” and even claiming the official had “threatened” him not to approach. His words quickly went viral in Brazilian media, fueling the narrative of a player once again losing control of his emotions.
A Sinking Santos
The 3–2 defeat to Flamengo deepened Santos’ crisis, leaving the team in the relegation zone with just five rounds remaining in the Brasileirão. Ironically, the team scored twice — through Gabriel Bontempo and Lautaro Díaz — after Neymar was subbed off, a detail that did not go unnoticed by critics.
While Flamengo continues its push for the title and the Copa Libertadores, Santos is sinking, both in form and morale. And once again, Neymar finds himself at the center of it all — admired for his talent, criticized for his temper, and still struggling to be the leader his team needs.
