Neymar was mistakenly substituted during the Brazilian Serie A match between Santos and Coritiba on May 17, 2026, when officials removed him instead of Gonzalo Escobar in the 65th minute of the game, which Santos lost 3-0 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].
The substitution error occurred while Neymar was temporarily off the pitch receiving treatment for a calf injury. The fourth official displayed the number 10 on the substitution board, signaling Neymar’s replacement by Robinho Jr, though the intended substitute was Escobar [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].
Neymar protested the mistake by snatching the substitution slip from officials and holding it up to TV cameras to highlight the error. He then received a yellow card after attempting to return to the pitch during the protest [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].
Santos confirmed the error in a statement on X, saying, "The fourth official got the substitution wrong. This was confirmed by the television coverage and by the note used by the officials during the substitution. An inexplicable error that was not corrected" [1, 2].
After leaving the field, Neymar handed the captain’s armband to Gonzalo Escobar [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The incident happened one day before Brazil’s coach Carlo Ancelotti was scheduled to announce the 2026 World Cup squad [1, 4, 5, 6, 7]. At 34 years old, Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer with 79 goals but has not played for the national team since 2023 due to injuries and knee surgery [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].
Neymar has been working to prove his fitness for inclusion in the squad. Ancelotti has said selection will be based on fitness and form, not sentiment [1, 4, 5]. This season, Neymar has scored six goals and made four assists across all competitions for Santos [1, 4, 5, 6].
Santos currently sit close to the Serie A relegation zone with 18 points from 16 matches following their 3-0 loss to Coritiba [6, 7].
Ancelotti's squad announcement is set for May 18, 2026.
