Neymar has apologized for a training pitch altercation with Santos teammate Robinho Jr, an incident that could further damage his already slim chances of playing for Brazil at the World Cup.
Robinho Jr., the 18-year-old son of former Brazil star Robinho, this week claimed he was punched by 34-year-old Neymar during team training.
On Tuesday night, Neymar scored in Santos’ 1-1 draw with Deportivo Recoleta in Paraguay in a Copa Sudamericana match, but media attention was focused on what he had to say about the scuffle earlier this week.
“These things happen in football,” Neymar told reporters. «It should have been resolved between the two of us. It was a disagreement we had during training. I reacted to it and exaggerated a bit. Shortly after I apologized, we talked in the locker room and came to an agreement.»
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national team since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in October 2023.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to announce his World Cup squad on May 18.
Published on May 7, 2026
