Neymar denies locker‑room allegations after scoring twice in Santos' draw with Chapecoense
Santos drew 2‑2 with Chapecoense on 25 July 2026, with Neymar netting both goals in his first match for the club after the World Cup. Media reports claimed the Brazil star had harshly criticised young teammates Gabriel Bontempo and João Ananias in the dressing‑room at halftime. Neymar responded on Instagram, calling the stories “total lies” and saying the discussion was a general team charge that involved Lucas Veríssimo, Willian Arão, Gabriel Barbosa and Brazão. He added that such accountability is normal in a competitive squad and accused journalists of publishing malicious fake news.
The incident sparked further debate after Neymar left a scheduled training session at the club’s training centre without permission later that day. He also attracted attention for having taken part in a poker tournament in São Paulo during a break from club duties. Former Santos coach Paulo Turra publicly defended Neymar, stating that the club’s management problems run deeper than any individual player’s behaviour.
Entities: Brazilian Serie A · Chapecoense · Gabriel Barbosa · Gabriel Bontempo · João Ananias · Lucas Veríssimo · Neymar · Neymar Jr. · Santos FC · Willian Arão
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 10 SOURCES] Neymar said the conversation was a general team charge involving Lucas Veríssimo, Willian Arão, Gabriel Barbosa and Brazão. (In his Instagram video Neymar listed the teammates who participated in the discussion.)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Neymar posted on Instagram on July 26, 2026 denying media reports that he harshly criticized younger players in the Santos locker room after the match. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The match was Neymar's first appearance for Santos after the 2026 World Cup. (multiple)
- [● 20 SOURCES] Neymar scored two goals for Santos in that match. (Neymar scored both goals in Santos' 2‑2 draw with Chapecoense on 25 July 2026.)
- [● 14 SOURCES] Neymar called the media reports false and malicious. (He described the articles as lies and “malicious fake news”.)
- [● 20 SOURCES] The match between Santos and Chapecoense ended in a 2‑2 draw on July 25/26, 2026. (Santos drew 2‑2 with Chapecoense on 25 July 2026.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Santos FC did not provide an official comment on the alleged locker‑room incident. (multiple)
- [● 11 SOURCES] Media reports claimed Neymar harshly criticized younger players Gabriel Bontempo and João Ananias in the locker room. (Several outlets reported the player singled out the two youngsters during halftime.)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Neymar said the charge was a collective team discussion involving Lucas Veríssimo, Willian Arão, Gabriel Barbosa and Brazão. (Neymar’s Instagram statement)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Neymar participated in a poker tournament in São Paulo during his break from club duties. (Player’s own Instagram story and tournament records)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Neymar left a training session at Santos’ CT without permission after the match. (Report in multiple Brazilian outlets)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Media outlets reported that Neymar harshly criticized Gabriel Bontempo and João Ananias in the locker room. (Media reports cited in articles)