Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Vila Belmiro Stadium, in Santos (SP). Second round of the Copa Sudamericana, a competition that gives the champion a place in the 2027 Libertadores.
On the one hand, Santos, founded in 1912 and celebrating its anniversary on the day of the match, owner of eight international titles, five of them in the Pelé era. On the other, Recoleta, from 1931, zero international titles and, nationally, without a first division cup.
With Neymar leading the team in white, and with the opponent from Aurinegro coming to Brazil to play their first game outside the Guarani borders, an easy victory for Santos was expected.
Especially because Recoleta traveled with the reserves, in order to prioritize the Paraguayan. Why? Because the club is modest. Its board, realistically, does not see the possibility of going far in the South American Championship. The priority is not to return to the Second Division. Losing a little to the legendary Santos would be worthy.
I learned that even the president of the association in the Recoleta neighborhood, in the capital Asunción, signed up to Conmebol (South American confederation) for the game, in order to “reinforce the squad”. Luis Vidal is 52 years old. The Paraguayan Association vetoed it.
I almost never watch the bland Sudamericana, the second most important tournament in South America. It only arouses my interest after the semi-finals, and only if there is a Brazilian still alive.
Santos x Recoleta attracted me because Neymar, 34, the Santos captain, is on a crusade to show Carlo Ancelotti, coach of the Brazilian national team, that he is capable of playing in his fourth World Cup. I came to see shirt 10.
Santos scored with less than five minutes, a goal from him, Neymar, who shot from the small area after a cross from Gabigol. The long-awaited victory starting, I thought.
Wrong thinking. Santos did not impose the planned massacre. Time passed, and while Neymar and company seemed sure that other goals would come even without inspiration, Recoleta wasted, to make up for the lack of technique, willingness.
It seemed little. He wasn’t able to keep the ball for more than five seconds before a shot. One of these went towards the Peixe area, and Lucas Peres, unnecessarily, charged Figueredo’s back. Penalty.
Richard Ortiz converted. Recoleta scored a historic goal, the first away from Paraguay. It would be the team’s only shot in the game.
Paraguayan happiness soaring in Baixada Santista, the players would naturally run towards their fans to celebrate the achievement.
They didn’t run. As reported by André Galvão, who reported on-site for SBT, there was no one in the visitors’ section.
Recoleta had one on the scoreboard and zero in the crowd. No living souls, a “small cemetery” in the stands. Detail: Recoleta’s nickname is Coveiros, an allusion to the club’s address, close to a necropolis.
Contradictory as it may be, it seemed sad: one of the joys of football is celebrating with the fans.
And from then on, Santos’ performance, and Neymar’s performance, left something to be desired. Not just on the lawn.
After the confrontation ended, he argued with the fan, telling him to shut up and calling him, pejoratively and laughing, chubby.
For Neymar, the World Cup remains far away. For Recoleta, 1-1 was a World Cup win.
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