Neymar’s recent return to his boyhood club Santos has been anything but a fairytale. Amid a string of poor results, the 34-year-old forward has found himself embroiled in multiple off-field controversies, sparking intense backlash from fans and pundits alike.
The latest and most scathing criticism comes from former Brazilian international Ze Elias, who did not hold back when assessing Neymar’s recent behavior and his overall viability for Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
“Always the Victim”
The controversy reached a boiling point recently when Neymar engaged in a heated altercation with frustrated Santos supporters. After telling fans, “I’m giving absolutely everything out here and you don’t respect that,” the superstar reportedly mocked the physical appearance of one of the supporters and later made a provocative gesture as he left the pitch.
Speaking on ESPN Brasil, Ze Elias heavily condemned Neymar’s lack of maturity following the incident.
“He acts like a child, you know? A 16-year-old kid, 15 or 16, who doesn’t have the capacity or understanding to know what he is,” the former midfielder stated. “If he knew and understood what he is and what he represents, he wouldn’t behave like that. And he’s always the victim—people are always picking on him, he’s always right and everyone else is wrong, the whole world is wrong.”
No Place in Ancelotti’s Brazil?
Beyond his attitude, Ze Elias also questioned Neymar’s current sporting value to the Brazilian national team. With Carlo Ancelotti expected to implement a highly demanding tactical system for the Seleção, Ze Elias believes Neymar simply no longer fits the bill.
“I no longer think about Neymar in the Brazil national team, because we have to analyze what Carlo Ancelotti is asking from the team,” he explained, urging fans to look past nostalgia. “In this Brazil team, Neymar would stand in midfield asking for the ball. When he does that, who does it hurt? The national team.”
The pundit elaborated that modern international football demands relentless pace—a trait Neymar has lost over the years due to age and injuries. “Today you need speed and intensity—qualities Neymar had in the past and no longer has. His talent is unquestionable… but we have to be realistic. Now he shows flashes of brilliance—but not for the national team.”
The Weight of the Criticism
Ze Elias’s words carry significant weight in the Brazilian football community. During his own playing days, the tenacious midfielder featured for massive European clubs like Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen. He also proudly wore the famous yellow shirt, representing Brazil at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (winning bronze) and the 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
As the clock ticks down toward the 2026 World Cup in North America, Neymar faces an uphill battle to silence his critics, regain his fitness, and prove that he can still be the talisman Brazil desperately needs.
