According to Globo Esporte, ongoing salary delays and broken commitments from management have continuously escalated tensions between players and São Paulo's administration.

On Tuesday night, after São Paulo was eliminated by Boca Juniors at Estádio Morumbi, striker Luciano Neves said in an interview: "I've never received my salary on time here."

This statement was not without cause. At the Barra Funda training center, the atmosphere between players and management has been extremely tense. With repeated delays, the conflict continues to intensify. Earlier this month, São Paulo faced delays even in basic salary payments for the first time.

Management's explanations to players have only deepened frustration: São Paulo executives blamed financial shortages on opposition from players, who initially believed they would not be affected by the club's internal disputes, only became more dissatisfied.

It all began when Harry Mathis assumed the presidency after Julio Casares was removed in mid-January. Harry Mathis met with players at the Barra Funda training center and promised to stop delaying image rights payments. This boosted morale across the team.

The following month, the president reached an agreement with the entire squad to pay outstanding image rights from the previous year in 10 installments, with a promise that there would be no further delays and all arrears would be paid on time.

However, these promises went unfulfilled. The agreement was honored for only five months, and now at least three installments are overdue—image rights for June, July, and August are delayed again. Many players who joined the squad during the recent transfer window have not received a single month of image rights. In severe cases, delays have reached six months.

These broken promises have angered the entire squad. Following the salary delays, the dressing room has become even more withdrawn. Team leaders have provided financial assistance to players in need to cope with the repeated salary delays, as Globo Esporte previously reported. Payments were made on Friday but three days late.

At that time, the team remained focused on the crucial Copa Sudamericana campaign. During internal discussions, players made clear they would set aside these issues temporarily and commit fully to defeating Boca Juniors and advancing to the semifinals. After ultimately being eliminated, Luciano expressed the team's frustration as he left the pitch.

Luciano told SBT in a broadcast interview: "Here, I've never received my salary on time. Many players came to São Paulo because they wanted to wear this shirt. They want to be here. I want to be here too. We help those who need help. We try not to bring these problems onto the pitch and focus on Boca Juniors. We wanted to win and dedicate the victory to our fans. I'm sorry."

Luciano also added: "I want to be clear that since I arrived here, I've never received my salary on time. I've received offers, but I'm here because I love this club and I want to win a championship here."

Rafinha acknowledged in a joint interview that the club's financial problems will have an impact, but he affirmed the team's commitment.

Rafinha said: "Of course, players don't think about these things when they're on the pitch. On the pitch, they want to give everything. They want to perform at their best. But of course it has an impact. I can't pretend it doesn't."

He also stated: "This isn't just São Paulo's problem. At any club or in any profession, it has an impact. But these players at São Paulo don't play just for money."

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