Neymar’s 12-hour dash, assist and taunts as Santos progress past Remo | OneFootball

Neymar squeezed a whirlwind day around Santos’ Copa do Brasil tie in Belém, coming off the bench to set up Rony’s winner and seal a quarter-final place. He left the stadium quickly after full-time.

Globo.com reports that he spent fewer than 12 hours in the city, arriving at 14:00 after travelling by helicopter, van, plane and bus. Coach Cuca had decided the day before to bench him as punishment for missing full preparation.

Santos made an exception because the event was prearranged, charitable and held for six years by his staff. Before dawn he returned to his home in Baixada Santista, then flew by helicopter to Itanhaém to board his father’s plane to Belém.

He came on at half-time, teed up Rony for the decisive goal, then, after a quick shower, headed straight back to the jet before the rest of the squad.

Before leaving, he taunted members of Remo’s delegation and guests near the Mangueirão dressing rooms, dancing, jumping and shouting that they were eliminated, angering the home side.

He neither travelled with the team to or from Belém nor spent long in camp, staying only a few hours with the delegation.

Thousands braved fierce sun to glimpse him at the hotel, and guests gathered pitchside before kick-off. He was booed by Remo fans yet also applauded and asked for photos by many, from children to adults.

Santos and Neymar rest on Wednesday and resume work on Thursday for the weekend meeting with Athletico-PR at Vila Belmiro.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”