Brazil: Neymar caught by the “Vinícius Júnior rule”

24.10.26 FT Serie A Brazil

Santos FC

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Bahia

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Neymar was shown a straight red card this Saturday, October 24, 2026, during the match between Santos and Bahia in the 32nd round of the Brazilian championship. The Brazilian forward was punished after covering his mouth while speaking to midfielder Rodrigo Nestor, a gesture that led the referee to intervene after consulting VAR.

Neymar did not finish the match between Santos and Bahia. As the two teams were preparing to resume play after the break, the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player found himself at the center of a confrontation with Rodrigo Nestor, a Bahia player. By covering his mouth while speaking to him, Santos' number 10 prompted the intervention of the video assistant referee.

The referee was invited to review the footage of the incident. After watching the sequence showing Neymar with his hand over his mouth, he decided to show him a straight red card, applying the so-called “Vinícius Júnior rule”, used in the Brazilian championship to punish certain behavior of this nature.

A first clash before the break

Tensions between the two players had begun in the first half. Speaking to SporTV at half-time, Rodrigo Nestor strongly criticized Neymar's behavior. According to his account, he had tried to shake his hand, but the forward had thrown the ball at his body.

The Bahia midfielder then referred to comments he considered disrespectful toward him and his club.

“He is a player idolized by everyone, but today he failed as a person because of the way he spoke to me,” he explained, according to comments reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Asked about Neymar's exact words, Rodrigo Nestor refused to repeat them, saying they were not appropriate in front of the children watching the match.

After the teams returned from the dressing rooms, the two men exchanged words again. Neymar then covered his mouth while speaking to his opponent, before VAR alerted the referee to the incident.

Read also: Argentina: Neymar Jr sends a message to Lionel Messi

Neymar admits his mistake as Santos snatch a draw

After being sent off, Neymar admitted that he had made a mistake, while also believing that Rodrigo Nestor had overreacted by heading toward the referee before he had even spoken to him, according to the Spanish outlet.

Reduced to ten men, Santos trailed 1-0 after a goal from Luciano Juba. The Vila Belmiro club nevertheless managed to snatch a draw thanks to Luan Peres, who scored in the 93rd minute.

The match was also played in difficult weather conditions. Heavy rain left numerous puddles on the Vila Belmiro pitch, considerably complicating play until the final whistle.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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