Neymar responds after being involved in 'violent' training ground moment
Neymar responded to the storm surrounding his shocking physical altercation with Robinho's son during Santos' 1-1 draw with Recoleta in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar hit headlines after reports claimed he struck Robinho Jr in a training session over the weekend.
The youngster, the son of former Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan star Robinho, is said to have dribbled past Neymar - who felt disrespected.
An internal investigation was launched immediately after the incident was reported to Santos, with Robinho Jr reportedly accusing Neymar of tripping him over and delivering a "violent slap" as well as hurling "offensive insults", as per GloboEsporte.
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It was claimed that he called for a meeting with Santos' officials to discuss terminating his contract, with a public apology also demanded.
Robinho, a former colleague of Neymar's for Brazil, is currently in prison and TyC Sports reported that he demanded that footage of the incident be released and that his ex teammate be hit with a financial sanction.
However, the pair appeared to patch things up as after Neymar scored against Recoleta, he celebrated by hugging Robinho and lightly patting him on the head.
NEYMAR JR. HUGS ROBINHO JR. AFTER SCORING AGAINST RECOLETA! đŤâ¤ď¸ pic.twitter.com/DVRGptM5WK
â THEMBA âď¸ (@AkanniCFC) May 6, 2026
After the game, Neymar spoke to reporters and admitted that he "lost my temper and made a "mistake" following a "misunderstanding in training".
He revealed that multiple apologies had been provided to put the issue to bed.
"This was supposed to be resolved between us, it was a misunderstanding in training, and I ended up overreacting," he stated, as per ESPN.
"But immediately after it happened, apologies were offered, we talked in the dressing room, both Robinho Jr. and I. He is a boy I have a very special affection for. This happens in football, you fight with your brother, your friend, Iâve argued with several of my friends in football.
"If they want a public apology to the press, here it is. I had already apologised to him and his family. Yes, I lost my temper. Everyone makes mistakes, it was my mistake, his mistake, I made a bigger mistake. But I had already apologised, I thought it was resolved between us in the dressing room. We got together again on Monday, I apologised in front of the whole group, he also apologised. We thought it was resolved, but sometimes people try to get involved and blow things out of proportion."
Robinho also weighed in and revealed he was "upset" over the situation as Neymar is his "idol" and someone he has "loved very much" since he was a youngster.
He accepted the apology from Neymar and is now happy to move on from the whole episode, which he considers to be "resolved".
He explained: "That's what happened [slapped in the face], but, as I said, he apologised right away.
"He realised he had gone too far, apologised several times, and I've already said that the apologies are accepted. Now it's time to focus on the results and what's most important for Santos. "It upset me because heâs been my idol since childhood. Heâs a guy Iâve loved very much, ever since I was little. The first gift he gave me was when I was 8 years old, and I cried a lot; I still have it to this day.
"Even if it was a mistake, he already apologised and admitted his mistake, he was man enough to admit it. I was also man enough to approach him and talk, and everything is fine. The people around us say many things that arenât true, and itâs sad to see that itâs reached this level. But Iâm calm, weâve talked, and everything is resolved."
Currently 17th in the Brazilian Serie A, Santos have gone seven games without a victory.
Josh Lawless