Neymar gets yellow card after bizarre accidental substitution

Whatever Carlo Ancelotti decides on Neymar's World Cup fate, he said it will be intentional and well thought out.

But during the second half of Santos FC's match against Coritiba on Sunday, May 17, there was a mistake that cut into Neymar's time to prove he's worthy of a roster spot. Fourth official Bruno Mota Correia held up the substitution sign with Neymar's No. 10 in red and his teammate Robinho Jr.'s No. 7 in green, signaling that Santos manager Cuca had ordered the players to swap out. Apparently, it was a mistake.

Multiple reports say that Neymar was receiving medical attention for a strained calf on the sideline when the substitution was made. When he attempted to return to the pitch, he was informed that he could not because he was already substituted out. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star ran onto the field and argued with the officials and then referee Paulo Cesar Zanovelli da Silva. The confrontation carried to the sideline, where Cuca got involved and Neymar was given a yellow card.

Neymar continuing pleading his case to the public by taking the official substitution slip and showing it to the camera. He pointed to emphasize that his number was not written down, but instead the No. 31 of Gonzalo Escobar.

Per OneFootball, after Santos lost the match 3-0, officials explained the mishap by saying that assistant coach César Sampaio verbally directed the fourth official to substitute Neymar prior to finalizing the official substitution slip, which listed Escobar instead.

Every minute of play has mattered to Neymar as he builds his case to be included on the 2026 World Cup roster for the Seleção. This would be his fourth time playing in the global tournament.