Neymar Complains of Rough Play from Macará in Copa Sudamericana Clash

Neymar expressed his displeasure with the physical play from Macará players during the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. Santos secured a 2-1 victory against the Ecuadorian side at the Vila Belmiro stadium, with goals from Gabriel Barbosa and Willian Arão canceling out Macará's early lead. Neymar was instrumental in the win, providing assists for both of Santos' goals and showcasing his enduring quality on the field. Following the match, Macará players approached Neymar to request jerseys, photos, and autographs. In a humorous exchange captured in the tunnel leading to the locker rooms, Neymar playfully told defender José Luis Marrufo, "Lots of kicks, take it easier, you almost broke me." Marrufo responded by pointing out that a specific veteran midfielder, not himself, was responsible for the rough play. A video of this interaction was shared by Santos FC on social media, quickly garnering over 1.7 million views, 68,000 likes, and numerous comments and reposts within 24 hours. The return leg between Macará and Santos is scheduled for August 20th in Ambato, Ecuador. Neymar has not yet confirmed if he will travel with the team.

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Lots of kicks, take it easier, you almost broke me.