Cuca's Decision on Neymar's Involvement Against Palmeiras

Santos head coach Cuca has left the door wide open on Neymar’s involvement against Palmeiras, insisting he will only make the call after fresh talks with his squad.

Speaking ahead of a daunting trip to Allianz Parque, Cuca admitted he is still weighing up whether to risk his star forward on the controversial artificial surface.

"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 pitch is at the heart of the dilemma. Neymar has long bristled at the idea of playing on synthetic turf, a stance hardened by the ankle sprain he suffered against Atletico Mineiro. The injury left him furious, and he unloaded on social media: "It's proven, synthetic is absolute s***."

That anger has not faded. Asked in the mixed zone after Santos’ 2-1 Copa Sudamericana win over Macara about lining up against Palmeiras on the artificial surface, Neymar refused to commit.

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

His hesitation is nothing new. Neymar has previously blasted the Allianz Parque surface outright.

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

So Cuca waits, Neymar hesitates, and Allianz Parque looms — with the champions-elect on one side and a synthetic field that the Santos star simply does not trust on the other.