Neymar future plunged into doubt after clashing with fans: He’s going off the rails

Robin Bairner

• 23 May 2025 08:10 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Neymar stands accused of ‘going off the rails’ after clashing with fans following Santos’ surprise defeat in the Brazilian Cup as the former Barcelona and PSG star put his own future in doubt.

The Brazil international brought a troubled spell at Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League to an end in January when he made a surprise return to Santos on a six-month contract.

Reports indicated that he was ready to extend this deal until the 2026 World Cup, yet Neymar’s future has been plunged into doubt following the shock loss to CRB on penalties.

Current ETV

Neymar 

AM, M (C)

Santos

Neymar 

AM, M (C)

Santos

€6.6M

ETV Range

€5.6M - €7.6M

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He was making his return from a three-week layoff from injury but was unable to add to the three goals and three assists that he has generated since going back to Santos, despite netting in the shootout.

After the game, he was interviewed by TNT Sports Brasil.

“I know things are different on the pitch. You've seen that in 20 or 25 minutes, I can make a difference. This is my first match since my return, but I don't think it can depend solely on me. Everyone knows the situation we're in, and we need all the players to get us out of it,” Neymar said.

Neymar loses it with rival fans

Santos have only won one of their last 12 matches, sliding to second bottom of Serie A, and the loss to second-tier side CRB left Neymar clearly frustrated.

“The situation is very bad and we know it,” he added. “It’s up to us to change it.”

At this point, CRB supporters chanted: “Santos in the second division, Santos in the second division.”

This further infuriated Neymar, who angrily asked the fans to be quiet and kissed the Santos crest, leading to some media claiming that he is “going off the rails”.

While this is perhaps an overexaggeration of these incidents, he brought himself into the spotlight by admitting that his time at the club could soon end.

When asked what will happen when his contract at Santos ends in June, Neymar said: “I don’t know yet.”

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