Neymar Jr., a football icon in Brazil, finds different ways to remain in the headlines. Despite the fact that the former Barcelona forward is no longer playing for an elite European club, he has remained in the spotlight for global media publications. Off-field controversies are not new for Neymar, and this time, he is being called out on social media for making a sexist comment regarding referee Savio Pereira Sampaio. Neymar called the referee ‘Chico’ after the conclusion of a match between his team, Santos, and Remo in the Brazilian league.
Although Santos won the match comfortably 2-0, Neymar was unhappy to be given a yellow card. During the post-match chat with Canal Premiere, the 34-year-old made a casual sexist remark about Sampaio.
“This card is unfair. I was on the receiving end of a dangerous, unnecessary tackle at the end of the match. It wasn’t the first, but the third or fourth. I went to protest and received a yellow card,” Neymar fumed at the end of the match in an interview with Canal Premiere.
“That’s Savio for you; he woke up like ‘Chico’ [in a bad mood] and came onto the pitch in that state. He wants to be the star of the match, he’s incredibly disrespectful to the players, he doesn’t talk, he doesn’t discuss anything, he’s the kind of guy who dictates the game, who wants to control everything. He needs to learn to manage that. It’s disrespectful.”
The controversial part of the comment was, “Acordou de chico e veio assim pro jogo,” which translates to “woke up like ‘Chico’ and came to the game in that state.”
Why is the word ‘Chico’ controversial?
While the word “Chico” might sound like a name, in Brazilian slang, “estar de Chico” is a common, albeit quite old and often viewed as sexist, way to say a woman is on her period. Neymar seemed to have suggested that the referee was in a “bad mood” or acting “irrationally” because he was menstruating.
Mariana Pereira, a Brazilian journalist, slammed Neymar for the sexist comment. She said: “”Woke up on his period and came to the game like that” – how easy it is to replicate sexist and prejudiced expressions. For years, women have been shamed for menstruating. A simple BIOLOGICAL process viewed as something dirty, with hormonal fluctuations and physical pain invalidated. There are still those who defend it.”
“Acordou de chico e veio assim pro jogo” – como é fácil replicar expressões sexistas e preconceituosas. Por anos as mulheres foram constrangidas por menstruarem. Um simples processo BIOLÓGICO visto como algo sujo, flutuações hormonais e dores físicas invalidadas. Há quem defenda. pic.twitter.com/HWubLWGOJ7
— Mariana Pereira (@maripereira_j) April 3, 2026
While Neymar remains relevant on the field, at least in Brazil, he continues to find himself involved in off-field controversies. Against Remo, he had a hand in both of his side’s goals but was constantly fouled and jostled by the opponents. He lost his cool after finally being provoked into an aggressive stance following a confrontation with Diego Hernandez in the second half, prompting the referee to issue a yellow card.
Due to the booking, Neymar will miss Santos’ high-profile fixture against Flamengo at the Maracana on Sunday.
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