JAKARTA - Neymar has talked about the impact Diego Maradona had on his career after meeting him as a child.
However, his attempts to emulate the late Argentine legend's "Hand God" goal backfired on Sunday, June 1, 2025, local time, when he was sent off in a match that might be his last game for Santos.
With Santos vs Botafogo playing a 0-0 draw just before the last 15 minutes of the Brazilian league (Serie A) match, Neymar jumped using a bouncing ball in the penalty area and directed the ball into the net with his hand.
The Brazilian was quickly surrounded by angry Botafogo players before the referee issued a second yellow card to the forward, who shortened his first appearance for the club since he returned from injury last month.
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Luka Santos didn't stop there. Botafogo managed to score a goal when the game was four minutes remaining to secure a 1-0 victory.
The 33-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker later apologized to the team and supporters.
"I made a mistake, I'm sorry!" he wrote on social media.
"Today, if I'm not issued, I'm sure we'll get three points. You can think these three points are detrimental to me!"
Neymar returned to his boyhood club, Santos, in January 2025 after playing at Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. However, his contract at the Brazilian club was only valid until June 30, 2025.
The red card ruled him out of Santos' match against Fortaleza on Thursday, June 5, 2025, meaning he would only be able to play again for Santos if he extended his contract before the league restarted in July 2025, after the 2025 Club World Cup.
Santos is ranked 18th in Brazil's Serie A after losing seven to 11 matches.
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