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Neymar used his social media to express his frustration after his absence was confirmed for the match between Santos and Mirassol, part of the fifth round of the Brazilian Championship.
The forward was rested due to muscle pain and will not take the field in the very game where the Brazilian National Team coach, Carlo Ancelotti, will be present in the stands of Maião to observe him.
The Star's Outburst
After spending 12 days focused on physical work and returning to tactical training only last Sunday, the number 10 showed considerable discomfort with media and public speculation about his condition.
On his Instagram profile, the star defended himself against "theories" and justified his absence against Mirassol.
- "If I play injured, as they said last year, I'm wrong. If I think only of myself, I'm wrong. If I save myself, I'm wrong. If I play with pain or something that could worsen, I'm wrong."
- Neymar also criticized those who create theories about his routine, stating: "It's very complicated being me, oh my. I have to have patience to put up with you all, you know?"
Santos' Version
Despite the pain, the club argues that no injury has been diagnosed in the forward. The decision to rest him was made in agreement with the technical staff a few days ago as a precautionary measure.
Impact on the Brazilian National Team
The absence caught the CBF and Ancelotti by surprise, causing some frustration, as the coach traveled to the interior of São Paulo with the primary goal of evaluating Neymar up close.
This situation has direct consequences for the player's future with the national team:
- Risk of being left out: Being rested now could cost Neymar his spot in the March 16 call-up for the friendlies against France and Croatia, as Ancelotti will not have the observation time he planned.
- Last chance without the "boss": The star is only expected to play again in the classic against Corinthians next Sunday at Vila Belmiro. However, Ancelotti will not be present at this game, as he will be attending Botafogo vs. Flamengo at Engenhão. Neymar's evaluation will be left to the National Team's assistants.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
