Cuca Weighs Neymar's Availability for Palmeiras Match on Synthetic Turf

Santos head coach Cuca is in no rush to roll the dice on Neymar’s fragile ankle or his patience with artificial turf.

With a daunting away trip to Palmeiras looming, Cuca admitted he still hasn’t decided whether his star forward will feature, insisting the call will only come after fresh talks inside the dressing room.

“I don't have an answer to that yet, but tomorrow when we report back, we'll see how the whole squad is doing,” Cuca told ESPN Brazil. “I'm going to talk to him tomorrow and with the entire squad so we can decide what to do.

“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. But we'll work hard to do our best on Wednesday.”

The opponent is intimidating enough. The surface is the real flashpoint.

Neymar’s resistance to playing on synthetic grass hardened after he sprained his ankle against Atletico Mineiro. The injury left him furious, and he made his feelings crystal clear on social media: “It's proven, synthetic is absolute s***.”

That anger has not cooled.

Fresh from Santos’ 2-1 Copa Sudamericana win over Macara, Neymar was asked in the mixed zone about facing Palmeiras on the artificial pitch at Allianz Parque. He brushed it aside, refusing to commit.

“Man, are you already thinking about that? Calm down, there's a game on Sunday,” he replied. “I don't know [if I'll play on synthetic turf].”

The hesitation matches what he has said before about the venue and its surface.

“Playing at Allianz, for me, is impossible,” Neymar has previously stated. “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 the equation is simple and awkward: a marquee clash, a star player, a hated surface, and a coach who wants one more conversation before he decides how much he’s willing to risk.