Neymar hits out at Santos pitch after injury

Neymar faces a new injury layoff after being substituted at halftime in Santos' goalless draw with Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals.

The 34-year-old left the pitch at halftime of Wednesday's fixture and didn't return as Santos was eliminated 3-0 on aggregate.

Santos' Neymar (c) vies with Fluminense's Facundo Bernal during the match of the Brazilian Serie A Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Claudia Martini)

After the match, Neymar criticized a decision to delay the pitch's preparation until a day before the game.

"I'd like to congratulate the person in charge of the pitch at Vila Belmiro," Neymar said in a social media post. "Yesterday's was the worst grass, full of holes because they did aeration a day before the match. Unbelievable!"

Neymar has made only 24 appearances for Santos this year amid recurring leg muscle and knee injuries.