Neymar has issued a public apology following an incident involving Santos teammate Robinho Júnior during a training session, bringing an end to an internal dispute that had prompted disciplinary concerns and speculation over possible sanctions.
The incident occurred last Sunday during training, when Robinho Júnior reportedly dribbled past Neymar. The situation escalated into a verbal exchange, which subsequently developed into a physical altercation, with Neymar accused of making contact with the 18-year-old forward. Following the incident, Robinho Júnior levelled three allegations against Neymar: the use of offensive language, a trip, and a slap. He also warned that he could terminate his contract if Santos failed to take appropriate action.
Santos subsequently announced an internal investigation into the matter. At the time, reports suggested that Neymar could face disciplinary measures, raising concerns regarding his future availability for selection at international level.
The situation began to ease following Santos’ Copa Sudamericana fixture against Paraguayan side Deportivo Recoleta, which ended in a 1–1 draw. Neymar scored Santos’ only goal in the match. After scoring, he celebrated alongside Robinho Júnior, an act which was widely interpreted as a sign of reconciliation between the two players.
According to Brazilian media reports, including UOL, the reconciliation process had already begun prior to the match. Neymar had contacted Robinho Júnior by telephone to express regret over the incident. In addition, representatives of Neymar met Robinho Júnior’s mother, Viviane. However, Robinho Júnior’s management insisted that any resolution required a public apology.
Neymar complied following the match, addressing journalists in the mixed zone and confirming that he had apologised publicly. He stated that the matter should have remained internal and described the incident as arising from a misunderstanding during training.
Key Developments
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident | Training session at Santos on Sunday |
| Allegations | Offensive language, trip, slap |
| Player involved | Neymar and Robinho Júnior |
| Club action | Internal investigation initiated |
| Early response | Phone apology and family meeting |
| Match context | Santos 1–1 Deportivo Recoleta |
| Resolution | Public apology after match |
Neymar also confirmed that he had already apologised within the dressing room and in front of the squad. He described his reaction during the incident as excessive and acknowledged that the situation could have been handled differently.
He further expressed dissatisfaction that the matter had become public, stating that he believed it had already been resolved internally. He added that internal matters within the squad are often subject to external scrutiny and distortion once disclosed beyond the dressing room.
Following the incident, Neymar and Robinho Júnior also shared a dinner at Santos’ training camp on Monday evening, further contributing to the resolution process. Robinho Júnior subsequently confirmed that he would withdraw any legal notice previously directed at the club.
Robinho Júnior, son of former Brazil international Robinho, also addressed the matter publicly. He described Neymar as a personal role model and stated that the situation stemmed from a mistake which had been acknowledged by both parties. He confirmed that the dispute had been resolved and expressed regret that it had escalated.
Robinho, currently serving a nine-year sentence in Brazil at the Limeira Reintegration Centre, was also informed of the incident by a prison staff member. Reports indicate that he was distressed upon hearing the news, given his long-standing personal relationship with Neymar, although he later received confirmation of the reconciliation between the two players.