SAO PAULO – The crisis at Santos deepened dramatically on Sunday night as Neymar publicly clashed with coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda after being substituted late in the 3-2 Brasileirão loss to rivals Flamengo at the Maracanã.

The visible meltdown, which included a furious exchange on the touchline and a swift exit down the tunnel, has overshadowed the team’s ongoing fight against relegation and intensified scrutiny on the veteran player’s influence.

With Santos trailing and desperately needing inspiration, Vojvoda decided to replace Neymar in the 85th minute with Benjamin Rollheiser. As the electronic board confirmed the change, a visibly incensed Neymar stopped short of the bench to confront Vojvoda, reportedly demanding, “Are you going to take me off?” before turning his back on the technical staff and heading straight down the tunnel to the dressing room.

The post-substitution drama was compounded by an almost unbelievable twist of fate: Santos, who had struggled to break down their opponents while Neymar was on the pitch, suddenly sprang to life.

The team netted two quick-fire goals immediately following his departure, setting up a frantic, though ultimately unsuccessful, final few minutes. This immediate upswing in performance in his absence has fueled harsh criticism in the Brazilian media, with some pundits suggesting the team functions better without the former Barcelona star’s presence.

Neymar’s frustration was not limited to his coach. The substitution furore capped a volatile evening for the 33-year-old, who had already been embroiled in a heated dispute with the match officials.

Having received a yellow card for dissent in the first half, Neymar launched a scathing verbal attack at the final whistle, labelling referee Savio Pereira Sampaio “very bad” and “arrogant.” He accused the official of threatening him with a caution simply for attempting dialogue.

Santos remain locked in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety with just five matches remaining.

Neymar’s decision to air his grievances so publicly—first with the referee, then with his own coach—has shifted the narrative from the team’s performance to his individual conduct, amplifying the sense of chaos at one of Brazil’s most historic clubs.

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