Neymar’s chaotic week: Santos museum tribute follows furious half-time rant

Neymar has been honoured with a statue at Santos’ club museum in the same week Brazilian media revealed he launched a furious tirade at team-mates during a match against Chapecoense.

The forward shared images of the new statue on his social media accounts, describing the surprise tribute from his boyhood club as “a great honour” and saying he was proud to be part of Santos’ history.

His celebration of the club’s recognition has coincided with detailed reports of a stormy incident in the dressing room last Sunday, published by Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte.

According to the report, Neymar lost his temper with team-mates at half-time of the match against Chapecoense, erupting in anger despite having put Santos 1-0 up with a goal of his own before the break.

Dressing-room confrontation

Globo Esporte said Neymar confronted midfielder Joao Ananias in front of the rest of the squad, openly questioning his ability. The incident was described as highly charged and created a tense atmosphere in the dressing room.

That tension was said to have spilled over into the second half, with the team’s performance deteriorating sharply. Santos surrendered their lead, conceding twice in the space of 10 minutes.

One of those goals came in unfortunate fashion, with Ananias allegedly turning the ball into his own net, compounding the impact of the half-time confrontation.

Neymar defends role as captain

Neymar has since attempted to justify his behaviour, insisting his actions were part of his responsibilities as team captain.

“I am the captain and I have the right to speak,” he said, admitting he had been left frustrated by the draw against Chapecoense.

However, he rejected suggestions that he had insulted another team-mate, Gabriel Pontempo, during the same interval, instead stressing the closeness of their relationship.

“He is my son,” Neymar said, denying having directed abuse at Pontempo in the dressing room.

Santos honour arrives amid scrutiny

The timing of the club’s tribute has amplified debate in Brazil, with Neymar being celebrated by Santos off the pitch while facing criticism for his conduct on it.

The statue, installed inside the Santos museum, is designed to commemorate his achievements with the club, where he emerged as one of Brazilian football’s brightest talents before moving to Europe.

Neymar wrote that he had been “really surprised” by the unveiling and reiterated his gratitude towards Santos, emphasising how significant it was for him to be recognised by what he called a historic institution.

The contrasting images of Neymar posing proudly with his statue and the reports of a dressing-room outburst have combined to produce one of the most turbulent and scrutinised weeks of his career back in Brazilian football.