Neymar has hit out at the condition of the playing surface at Vila Belmiro after being forced off in pain during Santos’ Copa do Brasil meeting with Palmeiras. The Brazil star was reduced to tears after the injury and later used social media to make clear his disbelief at the standard of the pitch prepared by his own club.

Neymar furious over Vila Belmiro conditions

The mood around Santos turned sour after their Copa do Brasil quarter-final exit against rivals Palmeiras. Although the second leg ended 0-0, confirming elimination after a 3-0 loss in the first leg, the main point of concern was Neymar’s fitness after he picked up a right hamstring injury late in the first half.

In a strongly worded message on Instagram, Neymar criticised the work done on the pitch. “I want to congratulate our groundsman at Vila Belmiro. Yesterday, it was the worst pitch the stadium has ever seen, full of holes, because they had to loosen it up the day before the match. Unbelievable! Besides playing against the opposition, we were also fighting the pitch itself. And to make it worse, we had to put in extra effort while accelerating and stopping because the surface was so uneven. No wonder three players got injured in the first half. Congratulations then... What a rubbish job.”

A nightmare evening for Santos’ medical team

Neymar’s injury was not the only physical setback during the tense second leg of the quarter-final, which added weight to his criticism of the surface. Lucas Verissimo also had to come off early after suffering an ankle problem, while Barreal became the third player to be affected by injury in a chaotic opening half.

As per ESPN, Neymar remains a major doubt and is not expected to play against Internacional at Beira-Rio in the Brasileiro this Sunday. If he is unavailable, Arthur is expected to make his debut in a more advanced role, operating almost like a classic No. 10.

Palmeiras taunt rivals over pitch quality

Palmeiras, never shy of taking a dig at their rivals, answered Neymar’s criticism with a sharply sarcastic social media post. The Alviverde pointed to the difference between the natural grass at Vila Belmiro and the synthetic pitch at their own home, Nubank Parque, where the first leg took place.

“We want to congratulate those responsible for the Nubank Parque field... Whatever the day, the grass is always perfect and without holes, because it is looked after every day. You better believe it!” the club posted on Thursday. The mockery continued as Palmeiras directly echoed Neymar’s complaints: “Besides providing a good playing field for the opponent, our athletes feel safer because, during runs, the surface is always even. It is no coincidence that Palmeiras is the Serie A club with the fewest injuries in the last five years... Congratulations, you know? Great job.”

Struggles continue despite Neymar’s presence

Santos are still finding life difficult this season even with Neymar in the squad. O Peixe are currently 14th in the Brasileiro standings, only four points above the relegation zone with 14 matches still left to play.