Neymar receives sharp warning ahead of Santos’ return: ‘It doesn’t matter if we leave him out of the World Cup’

Neymar‘s return to the field after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee is quickly approaching, with the Brazil star is already training with his teammates again Santos. However, ahead of Sunday’s match against Velo Clube, the striker was given a stark and disturbing warning: “It doesn’t matter if we leave him out of the World Cup.“

Despite being fit, Santos opted to delay Neymar’s return, leaving him out of Thursday’s match against Athletico Paranaense due to the playing surfacewhich the club felt could risk a setback. During the match, Neymar posted a message on X criticizing the conditions. “Playing football on this field is almost impossible,he wrote during Santos’ match, where they lost 2-1.

Now attention shifts to Sunday’s match in Vila Belmiro, Where Santos will host the final round of the Campeonato Paulista against Velo Clubea match in which Neymar was finally able to return after more than two months of absence. Yet an unexpected warning in Brazil before kick-off has sparked concern.

On Thursday, Velo Clube’s ultras appeared at the team’s training ground and addressed the players before the crucial match, singling out Neymar: “I want you all to sweat blood. If we have to leave Neymar out of the World Cup, then leave it out of the World Cup. We gotta do whatever it takes to win this game, you know?”

The video, published by the group itself, quickly went viral on social media, sparking unrest among fans. According to its supporters the tone was intended as motivation rather than a threatwhile Velo Clube’s board released a statement highlighting that fan invasions and interruptions of training will not be tolerated.

Velo Clube go into the final 15th, inside the relegation zone, with just one win in seven games in the 2026 Paulista campaign. meaning a win over Santos would secure survival. Meanwhile, the Peixe are 10th and, with a win plus favorable results elsewhere, could still climb into the top eight and reach the play-off stagewhich would give Neymar extra games to regain full fitness.

Neymar’s reaction to the warning

The video quickly spread across social media, increasing attention to the match and Neymar’s fitness. with the World Cup widely expected to be the last major goal of his career. The most alarming aspect was that the ultras’ own report posted the clip targeting the attacker, which was interpreted by some as a direct threat to his well-being.

Neymar’s Instagram story.

Although he didn’t directly discuss the video, Neymar shared an Instagram story showing Brazilian icon Adriano celebrating with a shirt with the message:May God forgive these evil people.Despite the controversy, the Santos star went on to post several images of his training sessions, both in the gym and on the pitch, raising expectations for his upcoming return.