An on-field altercation between Neymar and his Santos teammate Robinho Jr. has been resolved following a public apology, bringing an end to a brief but widely discussed dispute within the club.
The incident occurred during a training session last Sunday, when Robinho Jr., an 18-year-old forward, dribbled past Neymar. The situation escalated from a verbal exchange into a physical confrontation. Robinho Jr. subsequently accused Neymar of three actions: using abusive language, attempting to trip him, and striking him. In response, the young forward warned that he could terminate his contract if the club failed to take appropriate action.
The matter quickly drew attention, prompting Santos FC to announce an internal investigation. At that stage, there was uncertainty surrounding potential disciplinary measures against Neymar, with suggestions that any sanction could affect his prospects of representing Brazil at the upcoming World Cup.
However, the situation de-escalated rapidly. Prior to Santos’ Copa Sudamericana fixture, reports indicated that both parties had reached an understanding. Neymar had already contacted Robinho Jr. by telephone to apologise and had also arranged for his representatives to meet the player’s mother, Viviane. Nevertheless, Robinho Jr.’s management insisted that a public apology was necessary.
That apology was delivered after Santos’ 1–1 draw against Paraguayan side Deportivo Recoleta in the Copa Sudamericana. Neymar scored his team’s only goal in the match and, notably, celebrated by embracing Robinho Jr., signalling reconciliation between the two players.
Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, Neymar said: “These things happen in football. It should have remained between us. A misunderstanding during training caused me to become somewhat agitated. However, I apologised immediately afterwards. We spoke in the dressing room and resolved everything.”
Further efforts to mend relations included a dinner shared by the two players at Santos’ training camp on Monday evening. Neymar acknowledged his responsibility for the incident, stating: “I overreacted. The situation could have been handled differently. I lost my temper. The mistake may have started with him, but my reaction was worse. I have apologised.”
Neymar also expressed dissatisfaction that the dressing-room incident had become public, noting that he had already apologised in front of the squad and expected the matter to remain internal.
Robinho Jr., for his part, confirmed that the issue had been settled and indicated he would withdraw his legal notice against the club. He said: “I was very upset because he is my idol and I have admired him since childhood. It was simply a mistake. He admitted his error. Many things being said are not true. We have resolved everything.”
The following table summarises the key aspects of the incident:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of incident | Sunday (training session) |
| Individuals involved | Neymar and Robinho Jr. |
| Allegations | Verbal abuse, tripping attempt, physical strike |
| Club response | Investigation announced |
| Resolution | Neymar issued public apology |
| Match outcome | Santos 1–1 Deportivo Recoleta |
| Notable moment | Goal by Neymar and embrace with teammate |
It is also notable that Neymar previously played alongside Robinho, the father of Robinho Jr., at both club and international level. Robinho is currently serving a nine-year sentence in a correctional facility in São Paulo. Reports indicate that he was informed of the incident while in custody and was initially distressed, though the subsequent reconciliation is expected to have provided reassurance.
With the apology delivered and accepted, the matter appears to have been concluded, restoring stability within the Santos squad.