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, Thiago Mendes snubbed Neymar during the pre-game handshake line in a Brazilian Serie A match between The Santos and Vasco at São Januário, leaving the Santos forward visibly shocked as Mendes skipped past him.
- The feud originated in 2020 during a Ligue 1 match in France when Mendes received a red card for a tackle that left Neymar with a sprained ankle, sparking years of tension between the rivals.
- This February, the players clashed again in Brazil when Mendes fouled Neymar, triggering on-field arguments; both received yellow cards after Mendes touched Neymar's face and the forward fell to the ground.
- Frustrated after the match, Neymar told SporTV, "With all due respect, he's an idiot," while claiming Mendes threatened him and recalling the tackle from six years prior.
- Beyond the handshake snub, the rivalry includes death threats Mendes received after his 2020 apology and criticism from Neymar's father over the "irresponsible, violent scissor tackle" that defined their initial collision.
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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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