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Santos superstar Neymar was a notable absentee from the team as Cuca’s side secured a dominant victory in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday night. Rather than flying to Venezuela for the continental clash, the Brazilian icon was spotted taking part in a professional poker tournament in São Paulo.
High stakes at the poker table
While his Santos teammates were battling it out on the field in Venezuela, Neymar was busy testing his luck and skills at the winter edition of the Brazil Series of Poker (BSOP). The striker, who has a well-known passion for playing cards, was spotted in the Golden Room of the WTC complex in Sao Paulo taking part in the fourth stage of the national championship, according to ESPN Brazil. It’s a familiar haunt for 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 fans, as it came just hours before Santos kicked off their crucial playoff game. However, his presence at the event did not mean he was absent. The club had already made the decision to leave their star player behind to focus on a specific fitness program following his return from a disappointing World Cup campaign.
Cuca explains the absence of the superstar
Santos coach Cuca was quick to clarify his star man’s situation after the 4-1 win over Universidad Central. The veteran coach insisted the decision to leave Neymar out was mainly to ensure he was fully rested following his international commitment.
“Since he was away for a few days and didn’t have a vacation, we decided to let him get even stronger, training hard so that he could continue the matches,” Cuca explained after the match. “Now, in ten days, we are going to play four matches. What would be the benefit of bringing him here? You saw how hard and exhausting the journey is. He stayed there working, just like [Willian] Arao, Joao Schmidt and Igor Vinicius, and that gives us more options for the games to come.”
Despite his evening at the poker table, Neymar pulled out all the stops on the club’s training ground. He had recently shared a video on social media showing him scoring goals and looking sharp during training drills. The manager’s plan appears to be aimed at ensuring Neymar is 100% for the domestic campaign, where the club are currently struggling in 15th place in the table.
Successful evening for La Peixe
Even without his talisman, Santos proved far too strong for Universidad Central, putting one foot firmly in the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana. The Brazilian giants won 4-1 in Venezuela, establishing a commanding lead ahead of next week’s second leg in Vila Belmiro. If they finish the job, Ecuadorian giants Macara will be waiting for them in the next round.
When asked if his number 10 would return for the next league match, Cuca confirmed that Neymar will be back in action against Chapecoense this Saturday. The decisive away victory eases the pressure on their continental campaign, allowing the club to concentrate entirely on domestic duties for the weekend.
Life after international retirement
This period marks an important transition for Neymar, who recently ended his legendary career with the Seleçao. The striker announced his retirement from international football following Brazil’s shock 2-1 defeat to Norway at the 2026 World Cup, an exit which left the player in tears. After scoring 80 goals in 130 matches for his country, he stepped away from the world stage at MetLife Stadium.
With his international responsibilities now a thing of the past, the remainder of his career is firmly focused on his club commitments with Santos. The Peixe desperately need his leadership and goal-scoring prowess to navigate a crowded schedule. If he can stay fit and replicate the form shown in recent training sessions, his presence will be the deciding factor on whether Santos can save their season.
