Neymar blames poor pitch for injury during Copa do Brasil match

Neymar left Santos’ Copa do Brasil quarterfinal against Palmeiras in tears after feeling pain in his right thigh, and he blamed the condition of the Vila Belmiro pitch.

In an ironic Instagram post, the Santos captain wrote, “I wanted to congratulate the person responsible for the pitch at Vila Belmiro. Yesterday’s was the worst grass, full of holes because they loosened it a day before the match. Incredible!”

“

I wanted to congratulate the person responsible for the pitch at Vila Belmiro. Yesterday’s was the worst grass, full of holes because they loosened it a day before the match. Incredible!

The forward said Santos had to play both “against the opponent” and “against the pitch.” The uneven surface, he explained, forced players to use more strength when starting and stopping during runs. Neymar had already complained about the field during the pre-match warm-up.

“

Against the opponent

Lucas Veríssimo and Barreal also left the game with injuries, which Neymar likewise attributed to the pitch. Neymar was substituted at halftime after experiencing pain late in the first half.

Santos needed to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg but could manage only a goalless draw, ending its run in the quarterfinals.

“

Against the pitch