Santos FC responded to a pre-match handshake snub by midfielder Thiago Mendes with a pointed social media post following their 3-0 victory over Vasco da Gama. The win proved crucial for Santos, lifting them out of the relegation zone, while Vasco da Gama remains in a precarious position, sitting second from the bottom of the table with 22 points.
The tension between Neymar and Mendes dates back to a 2020 Ligue 1 encounter between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon. During that match, a heavy tackle from Mendes resulted in an ankle sprain for the Brazilian star. Although Mendes issued a public apology, Neymar did not acknowledge it, and the player’s father publicly criticized the Lyon midfielder for the challenge.
Their rivalry continued in the Brazilian Serie A earlier this year. The two players clashed on the pitch, with Neymar confronting Mendes over a tackle and later appearing to hold his face following contact with the Vasco da Gama star. Following that match, Neymar expressed his frustration with the midfielder during a post-match interview.
When the teams lined up on Sunday, the animosity was evident as Mendes refused to shake hands with Neymar. Santos officials clearly took offense to the gesture, using their official social media channels to highlight the incident. In one notable jab, the club shared an image of their captain shaking hands with an empty space labeled ‘three points,’ accompanied by the caption: “This one I make a point of greeting.”
Beyond the pitch drama, questions surround Neymar’s professional future as his contract with Santos is set to expire in December. While he has been linked to a potential move to Major League Soccer, he has already ended negotiations with FC Cincinnati. Reports indicate that Inter Miami is monitoring the situation, raising the possibility of a reunion with former teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
