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Santos superstar Neymar was a notable absence from the squad as Cuca’s side secured a dominant victory in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday night. Instead of flying to Venezuela for the continental clash, the Brazilian icon was seen competing in a professional poker tournament in São Paulo.
High stakes at the poker table
While his Santos teammates struggled on the field in Venezuela, Neymar was busy testing his luck and skills at the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) Winter Edition. The striker, who has a well-documented passion for the card game, was spotted at the Golden Hall of the WTC Complex in Sao Paulo taking part in the fourth stage of the national championship, according to ESPN Brazil. It is a familiar haunt of the Santos hero; during his participation in the same tournament in 2025, Neymar pocketed R$53,500.
The timing of his appearance raised eyebrows among some supporters as it happened just hours before Santos started their crucial playoff match. But his presence at the event was not a case of going AWOL. The club had already made the decision to leave their marquee player behind to focus on a specific fitness program following his return from a disappointing World Cup campaign.
Cuca explains the superstar’s absence
Santos manager Cuca was quick to clarify the situation surrounding his star man after the 4-1 win over Universidad Central. The veteran coach insisted the decision to leave Neymar out was primarily aimed at ensuring he was fully rested following his international engagements.
“Since he was out of action for a few days and didn’t have a holiday, we decided to let him get even stronger and train hard so he could get a series of games,” explained Cuca after the match. “Now in ten days we shall play four games. What advantage would it be to bring him here? You saw how hard and exhausting the trip is. He stayed there and worked, like [Willian] Arao, Joao Schmidt and Igor Vinicius and that gives us more opportunities for the upcoming games.”
Despite his night at the poker table, Neymar has been busy at the club’s training ground. He had recently shared a video on social media that showed him scoring goals and looking sharp in training drills. The manager’s plan appears to be focused on ensuring Neymar is at 100 per cent for the domestic campaign, with the club currently struggling in 15th place in the league table.
Successful night for Peixe
Even without their talisman, Santos proved far too strong for Universidad Central, putting one foot firmly in the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16. The Brazilian giants romped to a 4-1 win in Venezuela to establish a commanding cushion ahead of next week’s second leg at Vila Belmiro. Should they finish the job, the Ecuadorian giant Macara awaits in the next round.
When asked if his No.10 would return for the upcoming league game, Cuca confirmed that Neymar will be back in action against Chapecoense this Saturday. The crucial away win eases the pressure on their continental campaign, allowing the club to shift its full focus back to domestic duties at the weekend.
Life after international retirement
This period marks a significant transition for Neymar, who recently called time on his legendary career with the Selecao. The forward announced his retirement from international football following Brazil’s shock 2-1 loss to Norway at the 2026 World Cup, an exit that left the player in tears. After scoring 80 goals in 130 games for his country, he stepped off the world stage at MetLife Stadium.
With his international duties now a thing of the past, the focus for the rest of his career is firmly on his club commitments with Santos. Peixe are desperate for his leadership and goalscoring prowess to navigate a crowded fixture list. If he can stay fit and repeat the sharp form shown in recent training sessions, his presence will be the deciding factor in whether Santos can save their season.
