Neymar defends playing poker on team's match day

Brazilian football star Neymar has publicly defended his decision to participate in a poker tournament during a period when his team, Santos, was competing in a Copa Sudamericana playoff match. Facing criticism for his commitment, Neymar stated on social media that he was on his "day off" and urged his detractors to focus on their own lives.

Neymar, who had recently returned to Santos following a break after the 2026 World Cup, is currently following a specific fitness regimen. This plan led to his absence from the team's away match against Universidad Central de Venezuela. While Neymar was training, his teammates secured a decisive 1-4 victory.

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Mind your own business.

During his day off, Neymar posted photos of himself at the poker tournament in São Paulo. He later addressed the backlash, posting a video from the gym where he stated, "I trained in the morning, I didn't go to the game, and then I returned to training. I was resting. But they keep talking, anyway. I'm preparing to train. Can I train, or are they going to keep criticizing me? Mind your own business."

This is not the first time Neymar has been linked to poker events. Shortly after Brazil's elimination from the 2026 World Cup, he reportedly attended another poker competition in Las Vegas. He is expected to return to action for Santos this Saturday in a Brazilian Championship match against Chapecoense.

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I was resting. But they keep talking, anyway. I'm preparing to train. Can I train, or are they going to keep criticizing me? Mind your own business.