Neymar has claimed that he would have been “hit a lot” if he had played in Brazil’s bad-tempered clash with Argentina on Tuesday.
Brazil lost 1-0 to Argentina in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in the Maracana, with Nicolas Otamendi scoring the game-winning goal. Meetings between the ancient foes are often tense events, but pre-match violence inside the stadium involving fans and Brazilian police fueled the flames. Neymar did not participate due to an ACL injury, but he stated he would have been targeted if he had.
In his Instagram Story, Neymar said: “Good game, classic, hot game. I was going to get hit a lot in that game, but I was going to make a hell of a mess.” Neymar suffered an ACL injury while playing for Brazil in October, just months after he left Paris Saint-Germain to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Chaos erupted during the singing of the national anthems as unsegregated Brazil and Argentina fans began fighting. Brazilian police left several Argentine fans injured when trying to subdue supporters, leading Lionel Messi and his team-mates to head over to the stand to check on their safety. Argentina ultimately earned their first-ever away win in Brazil in a World Cup qualifier and inflicted a third straight defeat on their bitter rivals.
WHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR BRAZIL?
Neymar still has a long road ahead of him before he returns to action, although he should be back before Brazil’s next World Cup qualifier in September next year. Brazil have won just two of their six qualifiers so far but will turn their attention to a friendly against England at Wembley in March.
