Santos forward Neymar argued with opposing Atletico Mineiro supporters from a VIP box during the first leg of a Copa Sudamericana quarter-final match.
The Brazilian player was unable to take part in the fixture due to a knee injury and watched the game from executive seating. According to a report by Sports.ru, visiting fans began provoking the forward as the match progressed.
Neymar responded to the taunts by telling the Atletico Mineiro supporters that even without a knee he was better than their entire team. The footballer then laughed heartily following the exchange.
At the time of the altercation, Santos held a 2-0 lead over their opponents. The match ultimately concluded with a 2-0 victory for the home side, giving Santos a two-goal advantage heading into the decisive fixture of the tie.
The incident represents another high-profile controversy involving the star in 2025. Earlier in August, the forward provoked opposing players by performing a victory dance after a match.
Clash during Copa Sudamericana quarter-final
The fixture formed part of the quarter-final stage of the Copa Sudamericana, the secondary international club football competition in South America. Organized annually by CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, the tournament features top teams from across the continent competing in home-and-away knockout rounds.
Santos FC, based in the coastal city of Santos in the state of Sao Paulo, is one of Brazil's most celebrated football institutions. Historically famous as the home club of legendary forward Pele, Santos competes at the highest level of South American club football.
Atletico Mineiro, based in Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais, is also among the most prominent clubs in Brazilian football. The Belo Horizonte side has a long-standing rivalry with top domestic teams in national and continental tournaments.
Neymar's career and return to Santos
Neymar da Silva Santos Junior initially rose to global prominence as a prodigy at Santos, winning the Copa Libertadores with the club before moving to Europe in 2013. He enjoyed major success at Spanish club Barcelona, forming part of a famed attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, before completing a world-record transfer to French side Paris Saint-Germain.
The forward is also the all-time leading goalscorer for the Brazil national team, having surpassed Pele's international goal record for the Selecao. After a spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, Neymar returned to Santos, where his appearances continue to draw significant attention across South American sports media.
Following their first-leg victory, Santos will travel to face Atletico Mineiro on their rival's home field for the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals to determine which club advances to the semi-final stage.
