Neymar completely loses his head as officials make unbelievable never-before-seen mistake

Brazil star Neymar exploded in Santos' 3-0 defeat to Cortiba after an unprecedented mistake by the officials.

The Santos skipper was in the starting line up for Santos' visit of Cortiba on Sunday but was involved in a bizarre incident which resulted in an accidental substitution.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward had to receive treatment on his right calf in the second half but then his No.10 flashed up on the electronic substitutes board, with Neymar slated to make way for teammate Robinho Jr - who he recently made up with after a shock bust-up.

However, Neymar quickly lost his head as it became apparent that his number was listed by accident by the fourth official who had put the wrong one up on the board.

He repeatedly remonstrated with the officials and received a yellow card for re-entering the field of play without approval after being substituted.

The 34-year-old was so incensed that he went over to the nearby TV cameras to show a substitution sheet - which appeared to indicate Santos' No.31 Gonzalo Escobar was the one set to make way.

Que loucura! Neymar acaba substituído após o quarto árbitro errar a placa. O camisa 10 mostrou o papel de substituição com o número correto, que seria de Escobar, camisa 31. #Brasileirão pic.twitter.com/j6DUXh3pWf

— ge (@geglobo) May 17, 2026

The messy situation happened when Santos were already 3-0 down at home and they were unable to reply without their talisman.

The team of officials had to be protected by police at the end of the game, with one fan throwing a hamburger in their direction.

Neymar is hopeful of being included in the Brazil squad for the World Cup, with Carlo Ancelotti due to make the announcement on Monday.

Absent from the national team since 2023 after a string of injury issues, the Selecao's record goalscorer has the support of plenty of Brazil players.

But Ancelotti, managing a nation at a World Cup for the first time, has said he will make the decision that is best for the group.

"I know full well that Neymar is much loved, not only by the public but also by the players," Ancelotti said, as per Reuters.

"This is also ​a factor, because we have to consider the atmosphere that will surround Neymar's call-up. It's not as if I'm going to drop a bombshell in the dressing room. He's very well-liked, ‌he's very ⁠much loved.

"I think it's normal for the players to express their opinion. I'm grateful to everyone who has given me advice; I thank you all. But ultimately, the right person to make this decision, the one best placed to do so, is me."