Mattos defends Neymar after another Santos defeat: "Misunderstood genius" | OneFootball

After Santos’s 3-2 defeat to Flamengo at Maracanã, Alexandre Mattos came to Neymar’s defense. On Tuesday, the Peixe’s football executive posted a lengthy message on social media praising the number 10, whom he described as a “misunderstood genius,” amid criticism of the player’s behavior during the match.

“Geniuses are misunderstood, it has always been this way in human history, they think ahead of their time, do things differently, make a difference… they leave legacies, make history…,” wrote Mattos.

Neymar started the match and returned to play after being rested against Palmeiras. The midfielder, however, left the field irritated after being substituted in the 39th minute of the second half, when the team was still losing 3-0. On his way out, he kicked a water cup near the bench—the liquid even splashed on some teammates—and then went straight from the bench to the locker room.

  See this photo on Instagram   A post shared by Alexandre Mattos (@oficialalexandremattos)

Amid the criticism, the Santos executive reinforced his support for the star and highlighted the human side of the player: “You are like this, a genius… those who know you know the human being you are, the heart you have, the humility you exude, the concern you have for everyone, the father and friend you are… They try to defeat you, they can’t, they try to knock you down, you get back up.”

The post came at a time of great pressure for Santos, who remain in the relegation zone of the Brazilian Championship. Peixe occupy 17th place, with 33 points, and have gone five games without a win (two draws and three losses).

Mattos also emphasized his personal and institutional support for Neymar, saying the striker is not alone in this difficult moment: “My brother, you will never be alone… rest assured that I’m here to take life’s hits along with you… your family is, your friends are, your teammates are,” he declared.

Read Alexandre Mattos’s full message

“Geniuses are misunderstood, it has always been this way in human history, they think ahead of their time, do things differently, make a difference… they are insatiable for challenges, for change, for goals that few ever achieve… they leave legacies, make history…

But they are also human beings, they get things right and wrong, they smile and cry, they have feelings, a heart, they breathe, they live and survive the blows of life…

You are like this, a genius… those who know you know the human being you are, the heart you have, the humility you exude, the concern you have for everyone, the father and friend you are…

They try to defeat you, they can’t, they try to knock you down, you get back up, everything is bigger for you, but you are bigger than everything…

Do you know why? Because you have God in your heart… a good aura…

My brother, you will never be alone… rest assured that I’m here to take life’s hits along with you… your family is, your friends are, your teammates are…

You are admired and adored by me and by all who know you, by billions around the world who dream of being like you… you achieved this, you deserve this…

Difficult moments make stronger men!!

I am always with you!!! In good times and especially in the tough times… We are!!!”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.