Neymar Slammed By Ex-Teammate For 'Messing Up' Santos FC: 'He Messes Up...'

Last Updated:February 26, 2026, 07:30 IST

Luis Fabiano criticises Neymar's tactical impact at Santos, requestimg adjustment as Santos faces challenges after Neymar's return.

Former Brazil and Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano has said that Neymar is the one who messes up any team ‘tactically’, adding that every time he goes to get the ball from the defender, the rest of the field doesn’t know what to do and the play doesn’t develop.

After spending a lot of time at Barcelona and PSG, Neymar signed for his boyhood club Santos last year.

Speaking to ESPN, Luís Fabiano requested that Neymar adjust to the team’s evolving style of play and reminded him that he is no longer 20. He also held the forward responsible for Santos FC’s relegation battle last season.

“Neymar is the one who messes up the team tactically. I watched a bit of Santos’ game. Every time he goes to get the ball from the defender’s feet, the midfielders, wingers and forwards don’t know what to do," Fabiano said.

“He (Neymar) goes to get it there, the guys don’t know whether to move, stay, or stay close to him and the play does not develop. When a player reaches a certain age, he thinks he is still young, that he is doing things he did at 20," Fabiano added.

“One chance does not come, two don’t come, but he (Neymar) stays there, eventually it will come and he will be fresh enough to do it," Fabiano said.

Neymar played a decisive role in helping Santos steer clear of relegation last season. Despite carrying a knee injury, he netted a crucial hat-trick in the final game to bag their place in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

Neymar has since undergone surgery and made his return to action.

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