Neymar has furiously denied reports that he tore into young players in the Santos ranks at halftime during their 2-2 draw against Chapecoense.

The Brazilian superstar returned to club action following his retirement from international football after Brazil‘s exit to Norway at the World Cup but has found himself in the midst of a club controversy.

He has since hit back on social media, branding the media accounts “malicious lies” and insisting he called out the entire team collectively, rather than any individuals.

What Neymar Has Been Accused of

Santos player Neymar via REUTERS/Thiago Bernardes

Brazil outlet Globe Esporte claimed Neymar vented his anger at two younger teammates at halftime. Allegedly, he called Gabriel Bontempo an “idiot” and suggested he would be playing for Chapoeconse next season at the bottom of the table.

The report also claimed he criticised and questioned the technical ability of João Ananias, who scored an own goal in the second half.

According to the report, the situation has caused widespread displeasure among the players, the coaching staff and even members of the board.

Neymar’s Fiery Instagram Response

REUTERS/Paul Childs/Action Images

The situation caused Neymar to issue a swift response, via an Instagram video on his account, where he said:

He continued as he called out the “lies”, saying: “From now on, I will not accept those lies you post on the internet. A rebuke in the dressing room, regardless of who is doing it, is a normal thing.

“Those who publish these malicious and false reports understand nothing, they do not know what football is and have never been part of a team.”

A Stormy Afternoon on and off the Pitch

The row overshadowed what had been an individual display that harkened back to his earlier days. Having scored twice to drag Santos back to a point, he also courted controversy with a bizarre celebration after an early opener — miming a game of poker to hit back at critics of his poker exploits before racing to the corner flag and swinging it like a golf club.

The former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona star was later booked for shoving two opponents, a yellow that rules him out of the next match through accumulation.

This episode is the latest flashpoint in a turbulent second stint at his boyhood club. Now 34, Neymar returned to Santos in 2025 and helped them survive relegation, but the team remain struggling in the bottom half this season.

It was his first appearance since returning from the World Cup, where he featured only briefly and rounded off his 130th cap — his final in the famous yellow shirt — with a late penalty as Brazil and Neymar bowed out.

Liverpool have now made an enquiry to sign another exciting Paris Saint-Germain attacker after Bradley Barcola.

As we approach August, Liverpool have still only made one new signing for new manager Andoni Iraola, despite a hugely disappointing 2025-26 season.

The Reds swooped in and hijacked Newcastle United’s deal to sign Victor Munoz, but they have been relatively quiet since.

The Merseyside outfit had identified RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande as their top target to replace the outgoing Mohamed Salah earlier in the summer, but the Ivory Coast international decided that he wanted to join PSG instead.

The Champions League holders then struggled to agree a deal with the Bundesliga side for the teenager, who could now be moving closer to joining Real Madrid instead.

Liverpool have had to go back to the drawing board and they have now held preliminary talks over a move for Barcola, who they also wanted to bring to Anfield 12 months ago.

It was confirmed on Sunday that the France international won’t be extending his contract at the Parc des Princes, which increases the likelihood of him leaving this summer, although PSG are said to be ready to demand up to £145m for his services.

Barcola isn’t the only PSG attacker Liverpool have made contact for though.

Liverpool Launch Ibrahim Mbaye Transfer Enquiry

via Reuters

According to French publication RMC Sport, Liverpool are one of a number of top European clubs to make contact over a move to sign PSG teenager Ibrahim Mbaye.

The 18-year-old ‘phenomenon’ announced himself on the global stage with a goal for Senegal at the 2026 World Cup, which came on the back of 42 first-team appearances for PSG despite his tender years.

His quality and progress hasn’t gone unnoticed and with competition for places in wide areas in the French capital extremely fierce, Liverpool, along with Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund, are all eyeing a move for the talented teenager.

PSG aren’t closing the possibility of a sale either, although they do value Mbaye at in excess of €50m if they are to consider a sale in this window.

Liverpool Hold Positive Talks Over Vinicius Junior

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Reports suggest that Liverpool are also eyeing an ambitious 2027 move to sign Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior on a free transfer next summer, with no progress yet over him signing a new contract to stay at the Bernabeu.

The Brazil international’s future has been thrown into further doubt as the La Liga giants close in on a deal to sign RB Leipzig sensation Diomande, who can operate from the left flank like Vini Jr.

The Reds are unlikely to be alone in their pursuit of the 26-year-old having held positive talks, with trusted journalist David Ornstein reporting on Saturday that Arsenal are considering making a move for the Brazilian this summer, having missed out on the likes of Diomande and Morgan Rogers.

The attacker is undoubtedly one of the best in the world, and landing him would be a huge coup, and both Liverpool and Arsenal will be hoping that they can bring him to the Premier League if the deal is right.

Tottenham Hotspur are now in advanced talks to complete yet another major summer signing, as Roberto De Zerbi closes in on his first attacking addition.

Tottenham have worked from back to front so far in terms of their summer transfer business, bringing in Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka to reinforce their defence, before adding two experienced Premier League stars in Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali to their midfield, both club-record deals at the time.

Despite Spurs’ 2-0 pre-season friendly win against Auckland in New Zealand in the last 24 hours, De Zerbi wants more new faces in his squad before the September 1 deadline, with a big focus on the attack.

The Italian said after the game against Auckland that he wants a ‘couple’ of important signings for his frontline, to support the likes of Mathys Tel, Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, with the latter continuing to be linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

De Zerbi is said to want to add a left-winger and a striker to his squad in the coming weeks, with their Premier League campaign due to get underway in a month’s time, with Manchester City star Savinho emerging as the top target for the former.

Tottenham Move to Pole Position to Sign Savinho

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According to the Sun, Tottenham have moved into pole position to sign the Brazilian from City with talks now advanced over a deal for the 22-year-old.

Italian giants AC Milan are also in the race to sign the forward, but the report says it’s believed that Spurs have made him their number one target, with discussions progressing positively.

Milan turned their attentions to Savinho at City having initially registered their interest in an ambitious move for Phil Foden, but the England international has since signed a new contract to remain at the Etihad.

The San Siro outfit are said to be preparing a loan offer with a mandatory buy clause worth between £43-47m, with recent reports suggesting that Tottenham have made a £70m offer to ensure they get the man they have wanted for more than a year.

Tottenham Make Enquiry for Exciting PSG Forward

via Reuters

Tottenham have also made an enquiry to sign another exciting winger in Paris Saint-Germain’s Ibrahaim Mbaye, according to the latest reports on Sunday evening.

While Savinho often plays from the left-hand side, Mbaye is more right-sided, which could suggest that Spurs are open to signing two more wingers before the window closes.

The north Londoners will face stiff competition in their bid to prise the talented 18-year-old away from the Parc des Princes however, given he is also attracting interest from Manchester City, Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.

With four goals and four assists in 42 appearances for PSG, they Champions League holders are said to value the Senegal international at in excess of €50m, but they would be willing to sell for that price.

Now it is up to Tottenham to decide if they are willing to reach that fee for a relatively unproven 18-year-old.