Neymar Jr. delivered an influential all-round performance, but Santos drew 1-1 with Mirassol in a Brazilian Serie A match. The Brazilian star spent the full 90 minutes troubling the opposition defence with dribbles, passes and attacking creation, yet could not secure a victory for his side.

Playing as the main creative force rather than only a conventional striker, Neymar supplied the assist for Santos’ lone goal. He created six key passes, more than any other player in the match, made 37 dribbles over 338 metres, and touched the ball 98 times. In the opposition half, he completed 42 of 54 passes, a success rate of 79 percent.

Neymar also took seven shots, including three on target, but Mirassol’s goalkeeper and defence prevented him from scoring. Mirassol were reduced to 10 players late in the match after a red card, but Santos could not find a winner during seven minutes of added time. After returning from a long injury layoff, Neymar has six goals and three direct assists in 11 matches this season.

Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has dismissed reports that he converted to Islam following his marriage to Moroccan football agent Souhaila Al Tahiri. In an interview with Saudi daily Okaz, he said he has deep respect for Islam but that claims of his conversion are untrue. The report was published on August 20, 2026.

Carlos said he enjoys seeing his wife pray and holds the religion in the highest regard. Rumours had circulated on social media and in media outlets after images showed him attending a wedding ceremony conducted according to Islamic customs. Earlier reports also claimed he recited the kalima during a meeting with a leader of Brazil’s Muslim community.

He said the wedding included different religious arrangements to respect the beliefs of both families. Carlos said his family members are Catholic, while an Islamic-style ceremony was held for his wife and Muslim friends. Al Tahiri is a FIFA-licensed football agent, and Carlos said they met through a football-related business meeting and have worked together personally and professionally for about two years.

At least 21 people were killed and four others injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck in Brazil’s southern Parana state. The crash occurred on the BR-372 highway, road operator Via Araucaria said in a post on X on Wednesday. All those killed were passengers on the bus, authorities said.

The injured people were taken to hospital for treatment, though no details about their conditions were immediately available. Local media reported that the bus involved in the crash operated under the health department of the municipality of Imbituva. Imbituva authorities did not immediately comment or confirm that information.

The cause of the collision was not immediately known, and relevant authorities are investigating. Imbituva has a population of about 30,000 people and is located roughly 180 kilometres west of Curitiba, the capital of Parana state. The report was published on August 20, 2026, and updated later the same day.

Claims that Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has converted to Islam spread widely on social media, according to a report published by Amar Desh Online on August 19, 2026. Turkish outlet Daily Sabah said various sources were making the claim, which was amplified by Ali Sahin, an AK Party member of parliament from Gaziantep, after a visit to Brazil.

Sahin said he learned of the alleged conversion directly from Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh, described as a prominent senior Islamic figure in Brazil. He said Carlos and Hammadeh had maintained positive contact for some time and met privately in Sao Paulo about four weeks earlier. According to Sahin, Carlos recited the shahada in Hammadeh’s presence during that meeting.

The report said Carlos has not issued any public video, social-media statement or formal announcement confirming the claim. As a result, the information cannot be presented as confirmed, and doubts about its reliability remain. Carlos, a 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil and former Real Madrid player, has prompted extensive online discussion, with many Muslim fans offering congratulations.

Four people were killed when a helicopter crashed on Saturday in the forested mountainous area of Tijuca National Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, authorities told AFP. The victims included three Colombian women from the same family who were visiting the city as tourists. Firefighters said three women and the pilot died after being burned in the crash.

The helicopter went down near the Vista Chinesa area, on a remote and steep mountainside. Firefighters released images showing smoking wreckage. Colombia’s consul general in Rio de Janeiro, Diana Paez, said the three women had travelled to the city with relatives to celebrate a teenager’s 15th birthday.

The six-member family had split into two groups because the helicopter could carry only three passengers at a time. Paez said the teenager’s grandmother, aunt and a cousin were among those killed; her father and his companion were due to take a later flight. Colombia’s consulate assisted Brazilian authorities with identification, which was difficult because of the condition of the bodies. Rio Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere called for stronger safety oversight.

Santos defeated Remo 1-0 at Mangueirão Stadium to secure a place in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals on August 5, 2026, but Neymar’s conduct after the final whistle drew controversy. The Brazilian forward set up Rony Rústico for the match’s only goal, helping Santos advance despite sustained jeering from Remo supporters.

Neymar had faced mockery and boos while on the bench early in the match and after entering the field following halftime. After the game, as he headed toward the dressing room, he was reportedly provoked by people around him. Local media said Neymar repeatedly shouted “you have been eliminated” in response to Remo’s taunts.

The report said he also made physical gestures, performed a mocking dance and stuck out his tongue at opponents, escalating tensions in the corridor. Remo supporters and officials attempted to breach the security barrier before Santos security personnel intervened and brought the situation under control. Remo president Antonio Carlos Teixeira, known as Tonião, criticized Neymar in a video message, calling him “antisocial” and saying the player had provoked them.

The US administration has temporarily revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Al Jazeera reported on August 5. The move comes amid growing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Brasilia. An unnamed US State Department official said Viotti would not be expelled from the United States and could remain in the country despite the visa action.

The report said Washington acted in response to Brazil’s decision to withhold approval for Danny Perez, the Trump administration’s nominee for US ambassador to Brazil. President Donald Trump nominated Perez in June, but he has not yet received full US Senate approval. Brazilian internal sources said the government viewed the public announcement of Perez’s nomination before formal contact with Brasilia as a breach of diplomatic protocol.

The US official said Viotti’s visa would be reinstated if Brazil approves Perez’s nomination. Without Brazil’s formal approval, Perez cannot take up ambassadorial duties in Brasilia. Last month, Brazil refused visas to officials from the US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, citing concerns that the delegation could work to undermine Brazil’s electoral system.

Brazilian footballer Felipe Diogo was fatally shot after returning to his hometown for a holiday, according to Brazilian media reports. The 21-year-old São Bernardo FC forward was killed on Tuesday local time in Ribeirão Preto, in São Paulo state. Diogo was struck by at least 10 bullets and taken in critical condition to the Simioni Emergency Care Unit, where doctors declared him dead.

Known as “Favela,” Diogo had developed through the academies of Cruzeiro and Botafogo before joining São Bernardo, a club in Brazil’s third-tier Série C. He played an important role in the club’s promotion last season. Across all competitions for São Bernardo, the young forward made 18 appearances and scored four goals. He had also played five matches in the current season.

Police have not yet established the motive for the attack. Local authorities said they were collecting evidence at the scene and investigating both the reason for the shooting and those involved. São Bernardo expressed deep sorrow over Diogo’s death and offered condolences to his family. His childhood club, Vila Virgínia, said his death had created a void that would remain with his family, friends, teammates and supporters.

Neymar has confirmed that his 16-year career with Brazil’s national team is over, saying he will not return to wear the yellow shirt. The 34-year-old made the announcement after Santos won in the Copa Sudamericana, speaking to Brazilian media and Globo. He had previously signalled his departure after Brazil lost to Norway in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

In the interview, Neymar said his journey with the national team had ended and that he had given everything for Brazil, but no longer wanted to continue. Since making his debut against the United States in 2010, he played 130 international matches, scoring 80 goals and providing 58 assists. His goal total makes him Brazil’s all-time leading scorer.

Neymar played in four World Cups but did not win the tournament. His major achievements with Brazil included the 2013 Confederations Cup and helping the country win its first Olympic football gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. His World Cup campaigns included an injury in 2014, defeat to Belgium in 2018, a dramatic exit against Croatia in 2022, and the 2026 loss to Norway. He intends to continue his club career with boyhood club Santos.

Brazilian star Neymar has faced fresh controversy at Santos over his training attendance and alleged treatment of teammates. Globo Sport reported that after Santos drew 2-2 with Chapecoense on Saturday, Neymar went to the Pele Training Center on Sunday but did not take part in the scheduled recovery session. The report alleged he remained briefly without club permission, took photographs, drank coffee and then left the center.

Social media speculation also claimed Neymar used harsh and insulting language toward young midfielder Gabriel Bontempo and defender Joao Ananias in the dressing room after the match. Neymar directly denied the allegation in an Instagram video, saying he made no insulting comments toward young players and had instead urged the entire team to improve. He also rejected claims that he deliberately received a yellow card to be suspended for the next match.

Globo said several Santos board members visited the training center to monitor the club's internal atmosphere following the recent events. The report said some players were uncomfortable with Neymar's conduct, alleging public criticism of mistakes affected younger players' confidence. Earlier this year, Neymar apologized to Robinson Junior after a reported slap during training following club intervention.

Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, formally launched his campaign for Brazil’s upcoming presidential election on Saturday. Speaking at the Liberal Party’s national convention, he announced his candidacy against incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Argentine President Javier Milei attended the event, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered support in a video message.

Flavio Bolsonaro has long been viewed as a potential presidential candidate for Brazil’s right wing, but his campaign has struggled to gain momentum amid political controversies and setbacks. Recent opinion polls place him behind the left-wing president Lula. The convention emphasized endorsements from foreign leaders, while prominent Brazilian political figures were notably scarce and centre-right parties have kept their distance from his campaign.

Jair Bolsonaro, serving a 27-year prison sentence over an attempted coup after losing the 2022 election to Lula, could not attend the convention. An AI-generated video message featuring him was shown instead. Flavio Bolsonaro and his allies face criticism over alleged efforts to use ties with the Trump administration for electoral advantage. Lula’s Workers’ Party plans to formally approve the 80-year-old president’s re-election candidacy at its national convention on August 2.

Brazilian star Neymar Junior has drawn criticism after missing Santos' 4-1 win over Universidad in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana playoff and appearing at a poker tournament in Sao Paulo on the same day. The episode followed the 2026 World Cup and prompted some fans and football analysts to question his commitment and priorities toward the club.

Amid the criticism, Neymar posted four Instagram photographs showing him at a poker table with cards and chips. He captioned the post, “Life is a joke,” and disabled comments. Many believe the cryptic message was aimed at his critics. Neymar had suffered an injury before the World Cup but made Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad, playing only two matches because he was not fully fit.

He scored Brazil's only goal from a penalty in the 2-1 defeat to Norway in the round of 32. After the World Cup, he returned to Santos for rehabilitation and fitness work. Santos head coach Cuca said Neymar's rest was entirely planned, with the player on an intensive training programme to build physical strength before four matches in 10 days.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sharply criticized the United States’ plan to impose a 20 percent tariff on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as an act of piracy. Speaking in São Paulo on Monday, Lula said that such actions would once have been called piracy and argued that a major power like the United States, long seen as opposing piracy, should not now become one itself.

Lula’s remarks came after the administration of US President Donald Trump announced the tariff plan targeting vessels using the Hormuz Strait, one of the world’s most vital energy transport routes. Massive volumes of crude oil and fuel products pass through the strait daily, making it a key artery for global energy trade.

The Brazilian leader’s comments suggest that his government views the unilateral trade measure as a troubling signal for international maritime commerce and free trade norms.

Brazil’s hopes of winning a sixth World Cup title ended in disappointment after a dramatic round of 16 defeat to Norway. The South American giants, who entered the tournament with high expectations, were eliminated following two goals from Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. The loss extended Brazil’s wait for another world title to 28 years. The team’s campaign was marred by injuries to key attackers, including Rodrygo, Estevão, Raphinha, and Lucas Paquetá, leaving Vinícius Júnior to shoulder much of the attacking responsibility. Despite scoring four goals and providing one assist in five matches, the Real Madrid forward could not prevent Brazil’s early exit.

Four days after the defeat, Vinícius posted an emotional message on Instagram, apologizing to fans for the team’s failure. He described representing Brazil as his greatest pride and expressed deep disappointment at the elimination. He said he had prepared intensely and wanted to win the World Cup for supporters and his family. Vinícius promised to keep fighting to make Brazil world champions again.

The post reflected the ongoing frustration of Brazil’s long wait since their last World Cup triumph in 2002, leaving fans hopeful for a future resurgence.

Brazil has been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the round of 16. Following the early exit, speculation arose about the future of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti. However, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that it retains full confidence in Ancelotti and intends to keep him in charge until the 2030 World Cup, as originally planned.

CBF executive director Rodrigo Caetano stated that there is no plan to dismiss the coach in haste, emphasizing that Ancelotti was appointed as part of a long-term project. After concluding his tenure at Real Madrid in 2025, Ancelotti took over Brazil’s national team late in the qualifying campaign. Although the team showed gradual improvement during the tournament, it faltered in its first major knockout test against Norway.

Despite the disappointment, CBF aims to focus on rebuilding the team in a calm environment. Caetano praised the squad’s effort and progress under Ancelotti over the past 38 days, while the coach himself vowed to start anew and continue pursuing success with Brazil.