Neymar Faces Backlash After Punching Ball Leading to Red Card in Santos Home Defeat in Brazil

Neymar’s comeback to his beloved boyhood club Santos has hit a bump, with a recent game leaving fans frustrated and the team struggling.

After his stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, Neymar returned to familiar grounds hoping to lift Santos’ fortunes — but Sunday night’s match against Botafogo didn’t go as planned.

A Shocking Moment: Neymar’s Handball Sends Him Off

The match was tightly contested and goalless well into the second half.

Then, in a bizarre twist, Neymar found himself at the center of controversy.

At around the 75th minute, a Botafogo goalkeeper mishandled a cross, sending the ball loose near Neymar.

Instead of letting the defenders clear it, Neymar punched the ball into the empty net — a move that quickly drew the referee’s attention.

He was shown a second yellow card and sent off for the unusual handball, leaving Santos down a player during a crucial phase.

Botafogo Seizes the Opportunity and Clinches Victory

Playing with one less man, Santos struggled to hold their ground.

Just ten minutes after Neymar’s exit, Botafogo winger Artur Victor Guimaraes found the back of the net, scoring the only goal of the match.

This goal sealed a 1-0 defeat for Santos at home, deepening their troubles in the league and leaving them 18th after 11 games.

Neymar’s Public Apology and Possible Farewell to Santos

Following the match, Neymar took to Instagram to express regret over his actions. “I made a mistake, forgive me!” he wrote.

“If I hadn’t been sent off, I’m sure we would have gotten the three points.

You can count these three points against me!” His apology hinted that this red card might be his last moment on the pitch for Santos, as his short-term contract expires at the end of June.

What Lies Ahead for Neymar and Santos?

Neymar will miss the upcoming match against Fortaleza due to suspension, and with the following game not until July 11 against Palmeiras, his time at Santos could be over before fans get another chance to see him play.

His return hasn’t been as impactful as hoped — injuries have sidelined him for eight games, and he has only scored three goals in 11 appearances.