Neymar: Poker, Missed Game & Gambling Concerns – What’s Happening?

Santos forward Neymar reportedly spent nearly 24 hours playing high-stakes online poker while officially sidelined from his team’s match against Cruzeiro on Sunday due to “load management,” according to reports from Brazilian media outlet LeoDias.

The 34-year-classic Brazilian icon was absent from the 0-0 draw, with the club citing the need to monitor training intensity and prevent injury. However, LeoDias alleges Neymar participated in an online poker tournament from Friday through Sunday, with buy-ins exceeding $5,000. The report claims Neymar made at least four re-entries on Saturday alone, totaling over $20,000 in fees to remain in the game.

Neymar confirmed to LeoDias that he did participate in the poker tournament, stating, “Unfortunately, these past few days, due to load management, I haven’t been able to play, so I’ve had this time to do what I enjoy most, which is playing a little poker, besides football.”

Here’s not the first instance of Neymar’s gambling hobby drawing scrutiny. Since 2014, he has become a prominent figure in the gambling world, even naming his dog ‘Poker’ and serving as a brand ambassador for major platforms. In March 2023, while recovering from an ankle injury at PSG, he reportedly lost €1m in just two hours during a live stream. He also faced criticism in 2024 for playing online poker on his phone during his daughter Mavie’s party.

The incident has sparked a fresh debate regarding Neymar’s professional commitment to Santos, with some questioning the prioritization of his personal interests while under contract. Reports from Facebook user Velvet Online and Nogomania.com echo the allegations, highlighting the controversy surrounding his absence from the match.

As of Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Santos FC has not issued a further statement regarding Neymar’s activities beyond the initial explanation of “load management.”