Neymar Defends Poker Attendance Amid Recovery Criticism

Santos superstar Neymar has responded to critics questioning his decision to attend a poker tournament while recovering from injuries. The 34-year-old forward took the opportunity to defend his dedication to the game, clarifying that the event coincided with a scheduled day off and his return to full training following a post-World Cup break.

The controversy emerged when Neymar was spotted at the BSOP Winter tournament earlier this week, just as Santos was gearing up for a Copa Sudamericana match against Universidad Central in Venezuela. He was omitted from the traveling squad since he had only recently resumed training.

In a bid to quell the backlash, Neymar utilized social media to assert his fitness regime was not compromised by his attendance at the tournament. “I was here getting ready for my second training session, and I remembered that during my day off, a lot of people were talking about me playing poker and all that. But I worked out in the morning; I didn’t go to the match because I had just returned to training, and the next day I was already off,” he explained.

The Brazilian international aimed a pointed message at his critics: “Anyway, now I’m here getting ready to train, so I want to ask you all: can I train, or are you going to keep nagging too? Go mind your own business!” His remarks serve to underline that his engagement in poker did not detract from his training schedule.

Neymar’s commitment to his fitness was evident as he adhered to a carefully managed recovery programme. He has now fully returned to training under the watchful eye of manager Cuca, making him available for selection ahead of Santos’ upcoming match against Chapecoense at the Vila Belmiro.

This will mark his first match appearance since the international break, as Santos aims to secure a win to improve their current standing in the Campeonato Brasileiro, where they sit 15th with 21 points from 19 matches.