Santos FC has launched an internal investigation into an alleged physical altercation between Neymar and his 18-year-old teammate Robinho Jr., son of former Real Madrid and Manchester City striker Robinho.
The incident reportedly occurred during a training session on Sunday, May 3, at the Rei Pelé Training Center. According to multiple reports, tensions flared when Robinho Jr. dribbled past Neymar multiple times, which the 34-year-old veteran perceived as disrespectful. What began as a heated argument quickly escalated, with Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte reporting that Neymar delivered "a violent slap to [Robinho's] face."
The fallout has been significant. Robinho Jr. has reportedly requested a meeting with Santos to discuss terminating his contract, citing a "lack of minimum safety conditions" at the club. He has also demanded a formal investigation and threatened legal action if the club fails to comply.
Interestingly, this incident carries an extra layer of complexity given the relationship between the players. Neymar had been acting as a mentor to the teenager, having previously played alongside Robinho Jr.'s father on the Brazil national team earlier in his career. The veteran forward has since apologized to his young teammate.
Santos confirmed the investigation in an official statement: "Santos FC has become aware of an alleged physical assault committed by a player affiliated with Santos FC against another player at the club. By order of the president, an internal investigation process was initiated immediately after the occurrence of the events to analyze the episode involving athletes Neymar Jr. and Robson de Souza Jr. (Robinho), during training this past Sunday. The club's legal department is responsible for conducting the investigation."
This controversy comes during a turbulent period in Neymar's career. Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, he hasn't featured for the national team since suffering a torn ACL in October 2023. His return to boyhood club Santos in January 2025, following a difficult spell with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, has been marked by ups and downs—15 goals scored but also persistent injury struggles.
As the investigation unfolds, the football world watches closely to see how this mentor-mentee relationship—and Neymar's legacy—will be affected.