The feud between Neymar and Thiago Mendes has erupted once again after the Vasco da Gama midfielder ignored a handshake from the Santos star prior to their Brazilian Serie A match.
The tension extended far beyond the pre-match greetings. The game was marked by multiple physical clashes and heated exchanges between the two players, culminating in Neymar going down after a hard challenge from Mendes, triggering mutual protests.
The atmosphere between the duo was charged from the opening whistle, rooted in a well-known dispute dating back to December 2020, when Mendes was playing for Lyon and Neymar was featuring for Paris Saint-Germain.
During that Ligue 1 match, Mendes committed a heavy tackle on Neymar that resulted in a severe ankle injury for the superstar and a red card for the Lyon midfielder, launching a prolonged conflict between the two.
Following that incident, Neymar publicly criticized Mendes, accusing him of reckless intent. In the aftermath, Mendes faced severe online abuse and death threats before issuing a public apology for his challenge and subsequent comments.
Speaking to the media at halftime during today’s Santos vs Vasco da Gama match, Neymar referred to Mendes as a “fool” and recalled the details of their 2020 clash in France that sparked their ongoing rift.
Throughout the match, the friction continued as the two exchanged words repeatedly, while Mendes firmly rejected any attempt at reconciliation before kickoff.
For his part, Mendes argued that Neymar disrespected both him and Vasco da Gama’s supporters during the game, while criticizing the referee for repeatedly awarding fouls in favor of the Santos captain.
Santos ultimately secured a convincing 3-0 victory, providing Neymar with the decisive answer on the pitch in a battle that marks yet another chapter in an unresolved rivalry.
