Neymar has reportedly been involved in a training ground altercation with his 18-year-old Santos team-mate Robinho Jr, during which he allegedly slapped and tripped the teenager. The incident occurred after the Brazilian legend felt he had been disrespected on the pitch.
Details of the Incident
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, the trouble began when Neymar took exception to being dribbled past by Robinho Jr, who is the son of former Real Madrid and Manchester City attacker Robinho. Neymar told the youngster to 'take it easy', sparking an argument that escalated into a physical confrontation. The pair pushed each other, and Neymar was reported to have slapped and then tripped Robinho Jr, leading to both players being removed from the training session.
Context of the Bust-Up
Both Neymar and Robinho Jr were participating in a reserve training session after being left out of Santos' squad for their match against Palmeiras. The decision to omit Neymar was influenced by concerns over Palmeiras' synthetic pitch, which the forward had previously criticised due to his history of injuries. Santos were held to a 1-1 draw in the derby on Saturday.
Resolution and Relationship
Following the altercation, Neymar reportedly apologised to Robinho Jr, acknowledging he had been at fault. The two are said to have a close relationship, often likened to that of a 'godfather and godson'. Robinho Jr's representatives had complained to the club president, but the issue was resolved amicably.
Neymar's Current Situation
Neymar, Brazil's all-time record goalscorer, is working to regain his place in the national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup this summer. He has scored four goals in 11 matches this season but has only four games left to convince coach Carlo Ancelotti of his fitness and form. His most recent appearance for the Selecao was in October 2023, when he suffered an ACL injury against Uruguay.
Robinho Jr's Background
Robinho Jr, who has made 23 appearances for Santos, is the son of disgraced former star Robinho. Robinho is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence in Brazil for rape, following a conviction in Italy for assaulting an Albanian woman in a nightclub in 2013. He has continued to protest his innocence, claiming the encounter was consensual.
