Neymar has all-time freak out after officials mistakenly call for star's substitution

Neymar has all-time freak out after officials mistakenly call for star's substitution originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This season has been tough for Santos in Brazil's Serie A league. Through 16 games this season, the historic club that housed the great Pelé has only 18 points (4 W, 6 D, 6 L) and sits in a relegation position (17th place). Along with that, their Brazilian star, Neymar Jr., was forced out of Sunday's game due to a referee's mistake.

While he was receiving treatment on the sideline, the touchline referee believed Neymar was getting set to be subbed out. Once he realized the mistake, the star did everything in his power to get back on the pitch but was ultimately denied and given a yellow card for his antics.

Neymar was signed to Santos FC in January 2025 to save the team from relegation last season. Now, the team is back in a similar standing. While it is still early in the league's season, the team created in April 1912 has only been relegated once (2023), which the team's fans did not take lightly.

The Brazilian star was enraged after he was taken off despite being on the sideline to receive treatment. Here's a look at his reaction and why Neymar's frustration may lead to career consequences that span further than just today's match. 

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Why was Neymar substituted from game?

Neymar was mistakenly subbed out during a 3-0 loss to Cortiba in Brazil's Serie A on Sunday. The star was receiving treatment on the sidelines while teammate Robinho Jr. was preparing to come onto the pitch for another player.

However, the fourth referee assumed Neymar was on the sidelines to get subbed out, with Robinho Jr. standing on the touchline as well.

🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Aboslute CHAOS during Neymar’s substitution for Santos:

• Neymar was receiving treatment on the sidelines while Robinho Jr. prepared to come on

• The fourth referee mistakenly announced Neymar as the player being substituted

• Robinho Jr. entered the pitch… pic.twitter.com/ssnywjOlxu— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) May 17, 2026

After realizing the referee's mistake, Neymar attempted to return to the pitch but was denied and given a yellow card. The star later picked up the referee's substitution card to show the mistake to a pitchside camera, which featured the name of another player on the card who was meant to be substituted.

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Neymar's freakout after substitution

Neymar was far from happy after the referee's mistake in a pivotal match for Santos. The team has been on relegation watch from Brazil's Serie A, and is now in grave danger of being relegated. Here is a video showing the Brazilian star being visibly upset after the mistake.

During Santos’ game, the fourth official signalled Neymar to be substituted 🔁

Neymar was surprised but went off. However, he then realised that another player was supposed to come off, as written on the substitution sheet 📃

But it was too late, as the substitution had already… pic.twitter.com/lwwkh7fEL4— 433 (@433) May 17, 2026

Neymar had every right to be upset. For starters, his team has been struggling tremendously this season, which was one of the main reasons they brought the star back to his club, where he debuted in 2009.

Along with this, today's match was Neymar's last chance to prove to Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil's national team manager, that he was worthy of a spot in what would most likely be his last World Cup. With his early exit, a return to A Seleção looks to be in great question ahead of Ancelotti submitting his World Cup team roster in the near future.

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Will Neymar be at World Cup?

As of May 17, it is unclear whether the 34-year-old will make Brazil's final squad for this year's World Cup. The decision is up to Ancelotti, who coached against Neymar during his tenure as Real Madrid's manager from 2013 to 2015.

Neymar has played in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups for A Seleção. Despite his career being shortened by injury, including the 2022 World Cup group stages, one of Brazil's brightest talents ever has been tasked with navigating a tough injury history that includes ankle, hamstring, and a major left ACL rupture in 2023.

If Neymar were to make Brazil's final squad, it would be his last time chasing one of the most coveted trophies in all of sports, according to Al Jazeera in 2025.

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