A crisis in Brazilian Santos because of Neymar What happened?

 

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The Crisis in Santos Due to Neymar

Santos FC, the Brazilian club famous for legends like Pelé and Neymar, has faced multiple crises related to Neymar over the years. These crises range from financial issues to controversial transfers and underwhelming performances that have affected the club’s reputation.

Financial Crisis and Third-Party Ownership Dispute

In 2016, FIFA imposed a fine on Santos for violating third-party ownership regulations. It was revealed that Neymar's transfer to Barcelona involved an investment company as a third-party owner, which was against FIFA rules. As a result, Santos was fined 75,000 Swiss francs. (al-ain.com)

Underwhelming Performance After Return

In February 2025, Neymar returned to Santos after an underwhelming spell at Saudi club Al-Hilal. He played in two matches for Santos but failed to deliver the expected performance, leading to heavy criticism from Brazilian media.

• In his first match against Botafogo, he came on as a substitute in a 1-1 draw.
• In his second match against Grêmio Novorizontino, he started but failed to make an impact, with the match ending in a 0-0 draw. Neymar received a low rating of 6.1.

(aljazeera.net)

Past Conflict with Coach Dorival Júnior

In 2010, Neymar had a dispute with his then-coach at Santos, Dorival Júnior, over a penalty kick. The young Neymar, only 18 at the time, insisted on taking the penalty, leading to a confrontation with his coach. This incident strained their relationship and remains one of the key controversies in Neymar's history with Santos.

(arabic.sport360.com)

Attempts to Bring Neymar Back

In November 2024, Santos officials announced negotiations with Neymar to bring him back to the club in the summer of 2025 after his contract with Al-Hilal ended. The club’s vice president, Osvaldo Nico, stated that Neymar still had emotional ties to Santos, and they were working on securing his return.

(aleqt.com)

These events highlight the ongoing challenges Santos has faced due to its association with Neymar, whether financially, technically, or administratively.