Thiago Mendes Snubs Neymar's Handshake During Pre-Game Ritual: Why Their 6-Year Feud Still Rages
Thiago Mendes ignored Neymar’s handshake before kickoff, reviving a feud that began with a 2020 Ligue 1 tackle that injured Neymar, officials said.
- On Sunday, midfielder Thiago Mendes snubbed forward Neymar during the pre-game handshake line in a Brazilian Serie A match between The Santos and Vasco da Gama, leaving the Santos player visibly shocked as Mendes skipped past him.
- This feud originated during a Ligue 1 match in France in 2020, when Mendes received a red card for a hard tackle that left Neymar with a sprained ankle, sparking years of tension between the rivals.
- Confrontation erupted again this February in Brazil when Mendes fouled Neymar, leading to a heated on-field argument; both players received yellow cards after Mendes touched Neymar's face and the forward fell to the ground.
- After the match, Neymar told SporTV, "With all due respect, he's an idiot," claiming Mendes threatened him and accusing him of starting trouble. The Santos forward also said, "He always wants to act tough."
- Beyond the recent snub, the rivalry has intensified with death threats directed at Mendes following his 2020 apology, and Neymar's father publicly criticized the "irresponsible, violent scissor tackle" that sparked the initial animosity between them.
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Neymar manifested himself on social networks and denied, without mentioning the name of Thiago Mendes, any rivalry with Vasco's player.
Thiago Mendes and Neymar Jr. have written a new chapter in their personal rivalry. It is no secret that their relationship is not the best in the world, as the midfielder injured the attacker in 2020 after a very hard entry during a PSG-Lyon. In addition, they again had a strong controversy in February 2026, where ... Continue reading "Thiago Mendes holds a grudge against Neymar: he denies the greeting after his polemic sound"
Thiago Mendes Snubs Neymar's Handshake During Pre-Game Ritual: Why Their 6-Year Feud Still Rages
The Brazilian Serie A drama started before kickoff between Santos and Vasco da Gama as Thiago Mendes snubbed Neymar Jr.'s pre-game handshake. The Santos forward could only look on in shock as Mendes skipped him during the fair-play handshake. Neymar had his hand up the whole time and did a double-take when his hand was ignored. The snub may not be a surprise to fans who followed the rivalry back in 2020 when both players played Ligue 1 in France…
Captain of Vasco da Gama, Thiago Mendes refused this Sunday to shake the hand of Neymar, who wears Santos' armband. Both men have a passive since December 2020.
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