Neymar’s Poker Gesture After Two-Goal Performance

Neymar celebrated his two-goal performance in Santos' 2-2 draw with Chapecoense by mimicking the dealing of cards towards the crowd at the Urbano Caldeira stadium. The gesture referenced the backlash he faced after images surfaced of him at a poker tournament in São Paulo last week, while his Santos teammates prepared for a Copa Sudamericana match in Caracas.

Santos had not selected Neymar for that trip because coach Cuca wanted to manage his workload after his recent commitments with Brazil at the 2026 World Cup. Nevertheless, the player’s poker appearance drew sharp criticism from fans and media. On Sunday, after scoring the opener in the 35th minute, Neymar’s card-dealing celebration and an apparent remark of “chupa” — a Brazilian profanity — were seen as a direct retort to his critics.

Neymar later posted on social media that the event took place on his day off, adding “I was training in the morning, I didn’t go to the match, I came back to train. It’s my day off. You keep talking anyway.” He ended with “Mind your own business.” Santos, meanwhile, won the Caracas match 4-1 without him, but the team remains 14th in the Brasileirão, just one point above the relegation zone. Neymar also converted a late penalty to salvage the draw, then exchanged words with Chapecoense players.

A Controversy That Won’t Go Away

The Poker Gesture as a Counterpunch

Neymar’s card-dealing celebration was more than showmanship—it was a pointed reply to weeks of commentary about his off-field activities. Brazilian outlets had widely reported his presence at a poker tournament just days after his return from a disappointing World Cup campaign that ended in the round of 16. Although the club had excused him from traveling to Venezuela, the images created the impression of a star player prioritizing leisure over team duties. His celebration and subsequent social media posts suggest a player tired of being judged for how he spends his rest days.

Santos’ Season in the Balance

The 2-2 draw against a modest Chapecoense side extended a worrying run for Santos under coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda. With only 22 points from 18 matches, the club sits just above the relegation zone. Crowd frustration was palpable; supporters whistled at the final whistle. Neymar’s contract runs until December 2026, but the club is eager for him to see it out amid uncertainty about his future. His individual quality was on display again, but the distraction of the poker saga may not be what a struggling team needs.