In a moment of heated intensity on the training pitch, even the biggest stars can lose their cool—and Brazil's all-time leading scorer Neymar is no exception. The 34-year-old Santos forward has publicly apologized to his 18-year-old teammate Robinho Jr after slapping the teenager during a practice session on Sunday, admitting he "crossed the line."
The incident unfolded at Santos' Rei Pele Training Centre when the young forward—son of Neymar's former Brazil teammate and ex-Manchester City star Robinho—dribbled past the veteran during a drill. Reports initially suggested Robinho Jr accused Neymar of delivering "a violent slap to the face," prompting the club to open an investigation. But after emotions settled, both players have since cleared the air, with Santos confirming on Tuesday that the matter is "all sorted."
"If you want an apology in front of the media, here it is," Neymar said, acknowledging his overreaction. "I did overreact, yes, in the way I reacted. It could have been different but I ended up losing my head. Everyone makes mistakes. It was my mistake, his mistake—I made a slightly bigger mistake."
The football world saw a glimpse of reconciliation on Tuesday night when Neymar scored for Santos in their 1-1 Copa Sudamericana draw with Recoleta. In a touching moment, he celebrated by hugging Robinho Jr, who had come off the bench. "He's a boy I like very much, for whom I have a special affection," Neymar added. "It happens in football—you argue with your friend, your brother. That's football, it's part of the game."
For Robinho Jr, the experience was deeply personal. "It was a situation that upset me because [Neymar] has been my idol since I was a child," the teenager shared. "People around us say a lot of things that aren't true and it's sad to see it blow up to this level. But I'm fine, I like him a lot. We've already talked and it's all sorted."
Neymar, who returned to Santos earlier this year after stints at Barcelona and Paris St-Germain, remains Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals. This incident serves as a reminder that even in the beautiful game, tempers can flare—but it's how you handle the aftermath that truly defines a champion.
