Neymar’s final audition for Brazil’s World Cup squad turned into a nightmare on Sunday when referees accidentally substituted the wrong player during Santos’ 3-0 defeat to Coritiba on Sunday.
The 34-year-old was dramatically taken off the pitch after claiming a fourth official botched a substitution, resulting in Neymar being drawn instead of team-mate Gonzalo Escobar, despite the striker only leaving temporarily for treatment on his calf.
The fourth official raised the sign and his number 10 was displayed as Robinho Jr. took his place. But when Neymar tried to return to the pitch he was shown a yellow card before becoming involved in an angry protest.
The referee refused to respond to his arguments, and in a moment of desperation, Neymar took the substitution sheet from the referees and showed it to a TV camera to prove that Escobar was meant to leave, and not him.
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“The fourth official made a mistake with the substitution,” Santos said in a message X.
«This was confirmed by the television coverage and by the note used by the referees during the substitution. An inexplicable error that was not corrected.»
The confusion could not have come at a worse time for Neymar, with Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti set to announce his World Cup squad on Monday.
The Italian has said Neymar’s inclusion will be based on fitness and form, rather than sentiment. He has six goals and four assists for Santos in all competitions this season.
Despite being Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, Neymar has not played for his country since 2023 due to injuries and knee surgery that sidelined him for a year.
The frustrated striker eventually left the field and handed the captain’s armband to Escobar, the very player who should have been replaced.
Published on May 18, 2026
