Trouble brewing at Santos? Reports of Victor Andrade rift grow

Rumours of a rift between Santos officials and young starlet Victor Andrade are growing, after the striker appeared on the bench for the club's Under-20 side on Wednesday.

Victor Andrade, 17, has been tipped to replace Neymar when the Seleção star eventually moves on from the club, but has been involved in a couple of recent disputes with the club.

It is thought that the player's demotion is related to the club's unhappiness with his media profile, with the player having done several TV and radio interviews in recent times.

The development also comes after the forward was left out of the side for the Recopa Sudamericana tie with Universidad de Chile, following manager Muricy Ramalho's discontent with him picking up unnecessary yellow cards in successive games.

"We have many strikers at the moment and the Under-20 team needed to be strengthened," Muricy explained of Andrade's demotion. "I am not aware of the any discontent."

Lance! report that Andrade, who is represented by Ronaldo's 9ine agency, has told his advisors that he is being punished and that his advisors consider there to be no viable explanation for the demotion.

With Victor Andrade having just two years left on his current contract and, having recently sold 20% of his economic rights to a Brazilian singer, there are worrying signs that his relationship with Santos may already by growing thin.