Neymar Trolls Atletico Mineiro from the Suite as Santos Wins 2-0 in Copa Sudamericana Quarterfinals

Santos won the match on the field, but the scene everyone was talking about afterward happened up above, in the suite at Urbano Caldeira. That's where Neymar was, unable to play, watching everything from a spot that sat right above the visiting section. With Atletico Mineiro's fans that close, it was a combustible mix.

Santos took the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals 2-0, with goals from Willian Arao in the first half and Uruguayan Christian Oliva in the second, both assisted by Gabriel Barbosa, better known as Gabigol, who was Peixe's sharpest player all night.

Neymar couldn't be on the field because of the right hamstring injury he's been carrying for two weeks now, but he wasn't about to miss the game. He showed up at the stadium and took his seat in the suite, right above the Galo faithful. The proximity meant the visiting fans quickly started needling him about his absence and his injury. Far from bothered, he was seen laughing along, though he didn't hold back either.

Neymar fired back with three lines that sum up his style pretty well. He said he didn't play because he "doesn't play against small teams," then added that "even without knees I'm better than your whole team," and wrapped it up by saying "you're lucky I'm not out there, or it would've been four today." Word for word, no filter, exactly how he operates whenever he steps onto the stage of provocation.

Even without knees I'm better than your whole teamNeymar

As the back and forth with the visiting section continued, the playmaker kept blowing kisses, pointing to the Santos crest on his shirt, and celebrating every good play from the club that gave him his start. The win puts Peixe in a strong position heading into the second leg, set for next Wednesday at the Mineirao.

One More Run-in on the Way Out

The night still had one more chapter left. As he was leaving Vila Belmiro, Neymar crossed paths with journalist Ricardinho Martins and didn't let the moment pass, calling him out directly and accusing him of being a "corneteiro," a term used in Brazilian soccer slang for people who criticize too much without much basis.

Here in front of the cameras you're my friend, I'm keeping an eye on youNeymar

Between the taunts aimed at the rival fans and the exchange with the journalist, the soccer itself almost got lost in the shuffle: a solid Santos side, an inspired Gabigol, and a comfortable cushion heading into the second leg in Belo Horizonte. There, with no suite involved this time, we'll find out if the 2-0 is enough to reach the semifinals.