Neymar fumes as 'inexplicable' substitution error comes before Brazil 2026 FIFA World Cup squad announcement
Updated 18/05/2026 at 12:31 GMT+1
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Neymar lost his cool during Santos' 3-0 defeat by Coritiba on Sunday, as he was caught up in what has been described as "an inexplicable error" by the Brazilian club.
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In what was his final chance to impress Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Neymar got involved in a furious row with officials when he was substituted in the 65th minute.
Robinho Junior replaced the 34-year-old, which led to chaotic scenes at the side of the pitch as Santos claimed that he had been subbed in error.
It is understood that Gonzalo Escobar was the player who was supposed to be replaced, but there was confusion as Neymar was receiving treatment at the time of the change.
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The Brazil star was seen holding a piece of paper - seemingly a substitution slip - up at a camera, which had the intended substitution written down to pass to the fourth official.
Neymar was booked after re-entering the pitch after he had been mistakenly hauled off, but eventually admitted defeat and left the field of play, handing Escobar the captain's armband.
Neymar reacts after being mistakenly substituted.
Image credit: Getty Images
In a statement on social media after the game, Santos explained: "The fourth official got the substitution wrong.
"This was confirmed by the television coverage and by the note used by the officials during the substitution. An inexplicable error that was not corrected."
Neymar was hoping to impress Brazil boss Ancelotti and be called up to a fourth consecutive World Cup, and even extended his Santos contract until the end of the year with the national team in mind.
Ancelotti is set to name his squad for the World Cup on Monday, and it is touch-and-go as to whether Neymar will be included or not, having not represented the national team since 2023.
The former Real Madrid boss could provide fresh hope for Neymar, though, after taking over from Dorival Junior in 2025.
However, Ancelotti did snub Neymar for friendlies against France and Croatia earlier in the year, but did not rule out including the superstar forward in his summer squad.
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The ex-Barcelona forward has 79 international goals in 128 appearances for Brazil and is the nation's all-time top goalscorer.
At the World Cup, Neymar has scored eight goals in 13 matches, with his best campaign coming at the 2014 tournament in his home country, as Brazil finished fourth.
In both 2018 and 2022, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals, while the five-time winners have not been victorious since 2002.
Brazil will kickstart their 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico with a Group C match against Morocco, before facing Haiti and then Steve Clarke's Scotland.
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