Neymar and Gabigol demand the cast behind the scenes at Santos: If they play badly, it’s our fault
Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa led the internal demands in the Santos dressing room before the victory over Atlético-MG, valid for the 11th round of Campeonato Brasileiro. In a behind-the-scenes video released by the club this Monday, the duo appears demanding trust, commitment and direct responsibility from the squad for their performance on the field. The images show the posture of the idols to motivate the group on Vila Belmiro.
Striker Neymar reinforced several times that the team needed to give an immediate response to the fans, especially when playing at home. “There’s no excuse today. If you play badly, it’s our fault”, declared the player during the preparation period in the dressing room. The tone adopted by number 10 sought to eliminate external justifications for a possible stumble, placing responsibility on the athletes.
Gabigol and Neymar supporting the squad in the dressing room before the game against Atlético.
— SFC PEIXE (@sfc_peixee)April 12, 2026
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Speeches focused on personality and tactical stance
Gabriel Barbosa, Gabigol, complemented Neymar’s statements by focusing on the movement and individual confidence of each player. The center forward asked his teammates not to be afraid of risking one-on-one plays and to maintain their intensity throughout the 90 minutes. “Personality. One-on-one, go for it. Confiança, guys. Estamos at home”, stated the attacker in one of the most important parts of the video.
In addition to the attackers, midfielder Willian Arão also played an active role in the guidance before the ball rolled, focusing on defensive aspects and set pieces. Arão warned about positioning in free kicks and corner kicks, in addition to asking for tactical intelligence when marking. The player highlighted the importance of stopping Atlético-MG’s plays with technical fouls, if necessary, to prevent the opponent’s advance in quick transitions.
- Neymar: Foco in direct responsibility and end of apologies.
- Gabigol: Pedido of constant movement and courage when dribbling.
- Willian Arão: Orientações about marking and positioning in set pieces.
- Vila atmosphere: Neymar highlighted the favorable atmosphere in the stadium during the warm-up.
- Central objective: Conquista of the three points to avoid losing points at home.
Impact of idol leadership on the final result
The attitude of the more experienced players who identified with the fans had a practical effect on the collective performance of the Santos team during the confrontation. Santos managed to convert internal pressure into game volume, overcoming Atlético-MG in a technically balanced duel. The victory in the 11th round brings relief to the football department and reinforces the authority of the squad’s leaders in the eyes of younger athletes and newcomers.
The video released by Santos TV shows that the mobilization strategy involved a pact of total delivery, where Neymar reiterated that the day was, necessarily, to score three points. The public charge made internally prevented the team from entering the field passively, something that had been criticized in previous matches. The positive result keeps Peixe in a comfortable position in the table, allowing for more stable planning for the remainder of the season.
Financial situation and disciplinary developments
Outside the field, the club also deals with administrative issues that have gained ground in recent days, such as the amounts to be received by players trained at the base. According to accounting information, Santos has around R$175 million expected to enter the coffers by athletes who have already left the institution. Esse Financial flow is considered vital for maintaining the competitiveness of the current squad and for paying immediate commitments.
In terms of discipline, the match against Atlético-MG also recorded incidents involving the technical committee. The match referee reported in the summary strong complaints from coach Cuca, who ended up being sent off during the game. The coach vehemently questioned arbitration decisions, which could result in suspension in a future trial at Superior Tribunal of Justiça Desportiva (STJD).
