Santos followers anticipating to see their star ahead on the pitch this week might be left upset. Neymar is about to overlook the upcoming conflict with Atletico Mineiro, in addition to a number of different fixtures, as a result of a purpose that has sparked debate all through Brazilian soccer. The choice, which has already divided supporters and officers, provides one other chapter to the long-running controversy surrounding the way forward for the sport in Brazil.
Brazilian outlet Jornal A Tribuna first broke the information that Neymar won’t be concerned in Santos’ upcoming match this Sunday. The announcement stunned many, because the ahead had been slowly regaining rhythm after accidents and was anticipated to characteristic prominently on this stage of the season. The explanation, nonetheless, has little to do with tactical decisions or lingering health doubts. As a substitute, it revolves round a broader debate that stretches far past Neymar’s private profession.
In response to GloboEsporte, Neymar has determined he won’t play on artificial turf. The 33-year-old, who has struggled with joint and knee issues all through his profession, reportedly feels sharp ache after falling on such surfaces. Santos’ teaching workers is claimed to be backing his determination, seeing it as a technique to decrease the danger of setbacks in his comeback course of.
Neymar himself has not remained silent on the matter. After a earlier match performed on synthetic turf in opposition to Juventude earlier this yr, he described the expertise as “not possible and uncomfortable for any participant.”
This stance, nonetheless, has created a clumsy contradiction. Simply days after stories of his refusal to play on artificial pitches, Neymar was photographed enjoying padel—a sport additionally performed on synthetic surfaces. Followers have been left scratching their heads, questioning the consistency of his reasoning.
Broader debate in Brazilian soccer
The problem goes past Neymar. Earlier this yr, he joined fellow stars Thiago Silva and Philippe Coutinho in a public marketing campaign in opposition to artificial turf. The gamers posted a unified message on social media: “It’s worrying the path Brazilian soccer is taking.
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“It’s absurd that we have now to speak about artificial turf on our fields. Actually, with the scale and popularity of our soccer, this shouldn’t even be an choice. Soccer is pure, not artificial.” The message additionally urged Brazil to ensure high-quality pure grass if it needed to keep up its popularity as a frontrunner in world soccer.
Presently, golf equipment similar to Botafogo, Palmeiras, and Athletico Paranaense use artificial surfaces, with Atletico Mineiro’s Enviornment MRV additionally utilizing a mix of pure grass and artificial turf.
Palmeiras defended its pitch, reminding critics that it’s “FIFA-certified” and undergoes “annual inspections.” In a press release, the Sao Paulo membership added: “There isn’t any scientific proof proving that the damage danger on synthetic fields is greater than on pure fields. Quite the opposite, a current research printed in The Lancet Discovery Science exhibits that the incidence of accidents is decrease.”
For Neymar, the choice may imply lacking a number of high-profile matches each time Santos face opponents on artificial surfaces. Having joined the membership in January on a contract till the top of 2025, he has already made 22 appearances, scoring six objectives and offering three assists. His absence in video games just like the one in opposition to Atletico Mineiro may considerably have an effect on Santos’ season plans.
