Neymar has a meltdown amid sexism storm in Brazil – did he really make ‘period’ comment?

Robin Bairner

3 Apr 2026 08:35 BST
4 min read

Neymar has been caught in a sexism storm — © IMAGO

Neymar might have been man of the match in Santos’ 2-0 win over Remo, but the former Barcelona and PSG star was subsequently caught up in a sexism storm that further threatens his place at the 2026 World Cup.

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The 34-year-old Brazil attacker had a hand in both of his side’s goals but after being persistently jostled throughout the game was finally provoked into an aggressive stance following a confrontation with Diego Hernandez in the second half.

Neymar was booked and will now miss Sunday’s huge clash with Flamengo at the Maracana - a fixture that he had earmarked as being critical for his World Cup chances, UOL reported earlier that day. The veteran subsequently blamed referee Savio Peira Sampaio.

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Neymar hits out at ‘disrespectful’ referee

“This card is unfair. I was on the receiving end of a dangerous, unnecessary tackle at the end of the match. It wasn’t the first, but the third or fourth. I went to protest and received a yellow card,” Neymar fumed at the end of the match in an interview with Canal Premiere.

“That’s Savio for you; he woke up like ‘Chico’ [in a bad mood] and came onto the pitch in that state. He wants to be the star of the match, he’s incredibly disrespectful to the players, he doesn’t talk, he doesn’t discuss anything, he’s the kind of guy who dictates the game, who wants to control everything. He needs to learn to manage that. It’s disrespectful.”

“Acordou de chico e veio assim pro jogo” - como é fácil replicar expressões sexistas e preconceituosas. Por anos as mulheres foram constrangidas por menstruarem. Um simples processo BIOLÓGICO visto como algo sujo, flutuações hormonais e dores físicas invalidadas. Há quem defenda. pic.twitter.com/HWubLWGOJ7
— Mariana Pereira (@maripereira_j) April 3, 2026

Why has this caused a stir?

While some accounts on social media have claimed that Neymar said the referee “got their period”, there is more nuance to his comments. Instead, the controversy in Brazil stems from Neymar’s use of the word ‘chico’.

“The word ‘chiqueiro’ (pigsty) also derives from it, referring to a time when menstruation was often associated with filth. Being ‘de chico’ meant being dirty,” CNN Brazil reports.

Marina Pereira, a journalist for the outlet, criticised Neymar’s comments for being misogynistic and sexist.

She tweeted: “How easy it is to reproduce sexist and discriminatory expressions. For years, women have been made to feel uncomfortable about their periods. A simple biological process perceived as something dirty, hormonal fluctuations and physical pain dismissed. And there are those who defend it.”

Neymar’s battle to reach the World Cup in Carlo Ancelotti’s side continues to grow ever more complicated.