Neymar and Neto exchange insults in social media row over Santos training

A public dispute has unfolded on social media between Brazilian footballer Neymar and former Corinthians player turned television host Neto, escalating tensions within the national football landscape. The conflict originated after Neto criticised the Santos forward for playing poker during a recent club match and for his recent return to training.

The exchange intensified on Thursday (23), hours after Neymar initially posted a video on his Instagram profile. The former Timão No. 10, who hosts Band’s show "Os Donos da Bola", characterised Neymar as a "little baby" and accused him of being on "vacation for seven years". Neto argued that Neymar’s attitude suggested he believed fans were "idiots" and claimed the Santos club was "broke", yet the player acted as though he had the right to dictate his own schedule.

Neto’s criticism extended to the timeline of Neymar’s absence, asserting that the forward had been "off" for more than seven years, specifically citing the period since the World Cup. He questioned the necessity of Neymar’s social media posts asking if he could train, describing such behaviour as "childish" and "unnecessary" for a player of his stature.

In response, Neymar directed his comments at Neto via an Instagram comment on a post by journalist and influencer Thiago Asmar, known as Pilhado. The Santos forward referred to Neto as an "idiot" and used explicit language to dismiss the broadcaster’s criticisms, effectively closing the loop on the initial social media provocation.

The incident highlights the ongoing friction between the Santos forward and media personalities regarding his professional conduct and the financial realities facing his club. While Neto framed his comments as a critique of entitlement and prolonged inactivity, Neymar’s retort underscored the personal nature of the clash, which has now become a prominent topic in Brazilian football discourse.