Cuca's Decision on Neymar for Palmeiras Match

Santos head coach Cuca is in no rush to guarantee Neymar’s presence on artificial turf against Palmeiras, insisting the final call will only come after fresh talks inside the dressing room.

Asked about the forward’s involvement for the daunting trip to Allianz Parque, Cuca kept his cards close to his chest, as quoted by ESPN Brazil. “I don't have an answer to that yet, but tomorrow when we report back, we'll see how the whole squad is doing,” he said. “I'm going to talk to him tomorrow and with the entire squad so we can decide what to do.”

He knows exactly what awaits his side in midweek.

The match against Palmeiras is going to be very tough; they are a very good side, and it's impossible to deny they are the favourites,” Cuca admitted. “But we'll work hard to do our best on Wednesday.

The debate around Neymar is about more than tactics or fatigue. It’s about the pitch.

His reluctance to step onto synthetic grass hardened after an ankle sprain suffered against Atletico Mineiro. The frustration boiled over online, where he wrote: “It's proven, synthetic is absolute s***.”

That anger has not faded. It now hangs over every conversation about Allianz Parque.

Fresh from Santos’ 2-1 Copa Sudamericana win over Macara, Neymar was pushed again on whether he would face Palmeiras on the artificial surface. He brushed the question aside in the mixed zone: “Man, are you already thinking about that? Calm down, there's a game on Sunday. I don't know [if I'll play on synthetic turf].”

The uncertainty matches his long-standing criticism of the venue. He has never hidden his distaste for that kind of field.

“Playing at Allianz, for me, is impossible,” he said previously. “Playing on a 7-a-side surface is something that bothers any player, regardless of injuries. Morumbi is very good, and I feel better there. I feel good on that pitch.”

So Cuca waits. Neymar hesitates. And a huge clash with Palmeiras now turns on one more variable: whether Santos’ star decides the risk of synthetic turf is worth taking.