Neymar has spoken concerning the influence Diego Maradona had on his profession after assembly him as a toddler however his bid to emulate the late Argentine nice’s “Hand of God” aim backfired on Sunday when he was despatched off in what may very well be his final recreation for Santos.
With Santos and Botafogo locked at 0-0 heading into the final quarter-hour of their Brazilian league recreation, Neymar launched himself at a rebound within the penalty space and steered the ball into the online along with his hand.
The Brazilian was shortly surrounded by livid Botafogo gamers earlier than the referee flashed a second yellow card on the ahead, chopping brief his first begin for the membership since he made his return from damage final month.
Rubbing salt into the wound, Botafogo scored with 4 minutes left to safe a 1-0 victory.
The 33-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker later apologised to his workforce and followers.
“I made a mistake, forgive me!” he posted on social media.
“Immediately, if I hadn’t been despatched off, I am certain we might have gotten the three factors. You’ll be able to depend these three factors in opposition to me!”
Neymar had returned to his boyhood membership Santos in January after a stint at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, along with his contract on the Brazilian aspect operating till June 30.
The crimson card guidelines him out of Santos’s match in opposition to Fortaleza on Thursday, that means he’ll solely be capable to play for the membership once more if he extends his contract earlier than the league’s resumption in July following the Membership World Cup.
Santos are 18th within the league having misplaced seven of their 11 matches.
