Neymar fumes as he is forced off by substitution error in final match before Brazil World Cup squad announcement | OneFootball

A bizarre administrative error Neymar forced off the pitch prematurely during Santos’ 3-0 home defeat to Coritiba on Sunday, in what was his final opportunity to impress before Brazil’s World Cup squad is announced.

The 34-year-old Neymar, who has been battling to regain full fitness since tearing his ACL in October 2023, has spent over a year attempting to convince Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti of his place in the national squad.

The unusual incident unfolded in the 65th minute of the Brazilian league match. With Coritiba already leading 3-0, Neymar, whose form has improved recently, was having a quiet game for the relegation-threatened Santos side.

While receiving treatment for his right calf from a doctor on the pitch, the referee instructed him to move to the sidelines. Moments later, the fourth official raised the substitution board, indicating that No 10 – Neymar – was to be replaced by Robinho Jr, who promptly entered the game.

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Neymar faces an anxious wait to see if he will make Brazil's World Cup squad (Reuters)

"I knew Robinho was coming in, but I wasn’t even watching it," Neymar said. "I didn’t know I had been substituted, I had not seen the board. It was a very serious mistake by the officials, by the fellow who puts the numbers on the board."

Both Santos coach Cuca and Neymar himself immediately informed the fourth official and referee Paulo Cesar Zanovelli that an error had occurred, with defender Gonzalo Escobar, wearing jersey No 31, being the intended player to be substituted. Zanovelli subsequently issued Neymar a yellow card for refusing to accept the substitution.

The striker then displayed the official substitution request sheet to broadcasters at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo, clearly showing Escobar's number.

"It is a mistake (of the fourth official) indeed. But it wasn’t the reason why we lost, it would be unfair to place blame on this," Santos coach Cuca stated in a press conference. Brazil's football confederation, which organises the league, has yet to comment publicly on the matter.

Ancelotti is scheduled to announce Brazil's World Cup squad on Monday in Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian media reports suggest Neymar's chances of securing a spot in the 26-player squad have recently increased due to other key players already guaranteed a place supporting his inclusion.