Brazilian football star Neymar has offered his personal aircraft to help a grieving Santos team-mate reach his family following the death of his father. The gesture came after forward Rony received the news of his father’s death, allowing him to travel to be with his loved ones during an exceptionally difficult period.
Rony’s father, 72-year-old Marigerson Barbosa Carneiro, died on Monday, 9 November, in the municipality of Terra Alta, in Brazil’s Pará state. According to local police, he suffered a serious stab wound to the neck and was taken to a medical facility, where he later died while receiving treatment.
Police have detained a woman suspected of involvement in the incident. The circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation, with the relevant authorities working to establish what happened.
The news left Rony devastated. Recognising the need for him to be with his family, Santos granted the forward leave from training and other team activities for an indefinite period. The club’s decision allowed him to step away from his professional commitments and focus on his family during their time of grief.
Neymar, who plays alongside Rony at Santos, also stepped in to help. He offered the use of his private aircraft for the family’s travel arrangements, providing practical assistance at a time when Rony needed to reach his relatives.
Rony expressed his gratitude in an emotional message on social media. He thanked Santos, the coaching staff and head coach Cuca for their support, singling out Neymar for his generosity. He acknowledged that the Brazilian star had made his aircraft available to help his family travel during the difficult circumstances.
Rony also said that he wanted to remain close to his family as they faced one of the hardest periods of their lives. He spoke of his desire to honour his father’s memory and appealed to people to keep his family in their prayers.
Santos also issued a statement expressing its deepest condolences to Rony and his relatives. The club said it would remain available to provide the player and his family with the support they needed during this period.
Neymar’s gesture has highlighted the personal bonds that can develop between team-mates beyond the demands of professional football. While players share the pressures of training, competition and results on the pitch, moments of personal crisis can reveal the importance of solidarity away from the game. By offering his aircraft to help Rony reach his family, Neymar provided more than a gesture of sympathy: he offered practical support when it mattered most.
