'Unbelievable!' – Neymar slams Santos pitch after injury scare

Tensions at Santos reached a boiling point following their quarter-final elimination from the Copa do Brasil at the hands of rivals Palmeiras. While the 0-0 draw confirmed their exit, the primary concern was the health of Neymar, who suffered a right hamstring injury late in the first half.

Taking to Instagram, Neymar delivered a scathing critique of the groundskeeping staff: 'I want to congratulate our groundsman at Vila Belmiro. Yesterday, it was the worst pitch the stadium has ever seen, riddled with holes. On top of playing against the opposition, we were battling the pitch itself. It's no wonder three players got injured in the first half. Congratulations, then... What a load of crap job.'

The injury to Neymar was not an isolated incident. Lucas Verissimo was forced off with an ankle injury, while Barreal also succumbed to physical issues during a chaotic first half. Reports suggest Neymar is a major doubt for Sunday's Brasileiro clash against Internacional at Beira-Rio, with Arthur likely to fill the creative void.

Palmeiras quickly mocked their rivals' complaints with a sarcastic social media post. Highlighting the contrast between their synthetic turf and the natural grass at Vila Belmiro, they claimed: 'Our athletes feel safer because, during runs, the surface is always even. It's no coincidence that Palmeiras is the Serie A club with the fewest injuries in the last five years.'

Despite the presence of global stars, Santos continue to struggle. The club currently sits 14th in the Brasileiro table, hovering just four points above the relegation zone with 14 matches remaining in the season.