Neymar Apologizes After Controversial Penalty as Santos Draw with Mirassol

Neymar scored early but conceded a penalty in Santos’ 1-1 draw against Mirassol on Wednesday. The result leaves Santos 16th in the league, just above the relegation zone, with four games remaining. The 33-year-old Brazilian posted an apology on social media, stressing every point is vital for Santos’ survival in Serie A this season.

In the latest Brazilian Serie A clash, Neymar returned to his formative club Santos and delivered a mixed performance against Mirassol. The 33-year-old star scored an early goal just four minutes into the match, giving his team a promising start. However, he later conceded a controversial penalty in the 60th minute after a reckless challenge on Reinaldo, which allowed Mirassol to equalize despite the goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao getting a slight touch. 

The game ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Santos in 16th place with only four games left in the season, narrowly staying above the relegation zone and just one point ahead of Vitoria. Neymar, who returned to Santos in January following his departure from Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League and after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, has been a key figure in the team’s recent fixtures, featuring in the last four matches. 

Following the draw, Neymar publicly apologized on Instagram for conceding the penalty, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of refereeing decisions and emphasizing the importance of every point as Santos fights to avoid relegation. The match highlights both his influence and vulnerability on the pitch, reflecting Santos’ precarious position in the league and Neymar’s determination to help secure their survival in Serie A.