Santos superstar Neymar has finally broken his silence following the intense backlash surrounding his controversial post-match comments about referee Savio Pereira Sampaio. The 34-year-old forward faced a wave of criticism after using a slang term that suggested the match official was “on his period” during Santos’ recent victory over Remo.
The Flashpoint with the Referee
The controversy stems from Santos’ 2-0 win over Remo earlier this month. In the 85th minute, Neymar was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge. His subsequent protests earned him a yellow card, triggering an automatic suspension that ruled him out of a crucial clash against Flamengo at the Maracanã—a match Santos ultimately lost 3-1.
A visibly frustrated Neymar spoke to reporters immediately after the Remo match, heavily criticizing Sampaio’s officiating. “It’s unfair. I suffered a foul from behind at the end of the game. It wasn’t the first time… I just went to complain to him. I said, ‘Are you crazy?’ then got a yellow card,” Neymar explained. “Anyway, Savio is like that. I think he woke up in a bad mood (chico), and came into the game like that.”
In Brazilian slang, the term “chico” is often used to refer to menstruation. The comment immediately sparked a sexism row, with critics calling out the implication that poor temperament and decision-making are synonymous with a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Neymar Clarifies His Remarks
Addressing the growing firestorm, Neymar took to his official YouTube channel to post a video discussing the fallout during a dinner with close friends and family. The forward insisted that his words were misinterpreted and born out of ignorance of the term’s full meaning.
“I said it in a lighthearted way, I meant that he was annoyed and didn’t want to talk much… I had no intention of offending any woman,” Neymar stated in the video. “The expression ‘chico’, I didn’t know it was short for that. I should have just said he was stressed and didn’t want to talk. I meant no harm at all. Things are changing a lot nowadays. These discussions are part of everyone’s evolution.”
An Inner-Circle Lecture
The YouTube footage also highlighted that Neymar’s inner circle didn’t shy away from holding him accountable. During the dinner, Bianca Coimbra, the wife of one of Neymar’s close friends, broke down exactly why the comment was so harmful.
“Historically, women get undermined when they’re going through their period,” Coimbra explained to the footballer. “When you say he makes a wrong decision because ‘she’s on her period’, you’re basically invalidating a woman’s decisions during their menstrual cycle.”
Neymar acknowledged the validity of the lesson, noting: “It was meant to be a quiet dinner, but it ended up being controversial. Whenever media generate a controversy with my name, we discuss it, me and my friends. We have different thoughts, and that is good for each one to open their minds a little more and understand the other.”
What Happens Next?
While Neymar has not yet faced immediate disciplinary action from the league for the comments, the social media backlash has been fierce. The Brazilian top flight has been cracking down on offensive language, previously handing Gustavo Marques a 12-match ban for sexist remarks.
For now, Neymar and Santos must refocus on the pitch as they prepare for a vital clash against Atletico Mineiro this weekend, hoping to steer clear of the Serie A relegation zone.
