Why Thiago Mendes Snubbed Neymar: The Feud Defining Vasco-Santos
The Feud Between Thiago Mendes and Neymar: A Simple Guide
What Happened Before the Match?
On August 16, 2026, before a Brazilian Serie A game between Vasco da Gama and Santos at São Januário stadium, something unusual happened during the traditional pre-game handshake line:
Vasco midfielder Thiago Mendes deliberately refused to shake hands with Santos superstar Neymar.
This wasn’t a random moment—it was the latest chapter in a six-year feud between the two Brazilian players.
The Origin of the Feud (2020)
The bad blood started during a French Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Lyon in 2020.
What happened step by step:
- The tackle: Thiago Mendes (playing for Lyon) made a hard challenge on Neymar (playing for PSG)
- The consequence: The referee gave Thiago a red card (sent him off the field)
- The injury: Neymar suffered a sprained left ankle
- The apology: After the game, Thiago posted on social media apologizing to Neymar, hoping he wasn’t badly hurt
- The reaction: Neymar didn’t publicly respond, but said he was relieved the injury wasn’t worse
- The father’s anger: Neymar’s father posted on Instagram criticizing Thiago’s tackle as "irresponsible" and "violent"
[!IMPORTANT]
Key Point: Neymar’s father called it a "scissor tackle from the side" that gave Neymar "no chance to defend himself." He questioned why "the victim be the one blamed?"
The Recent Confrontation (February 2026)
Fast forward to February 2026—both players were back in Brazil playing for different teams. They faced each other again, and another argument broke out:
- Neymar (Santos’ #10) didn’t like a foul Thiago committed against him
- They confronted each other on the field in the first half
- They argued, then Neymar fell down after Thiago touched his face
- Both got yellow cards for the altercation
- They kept arguing throughout the match
- At halftime, Neymar brought up the 2020 tackle
What Neymar said after the game:
"He always wants to start trouble, he always wants to act tough, it’s always like that. With all due respect, he’s an idiot. He already hurt me once at PSG, he threatened me today, so let’s see if he’s man enough to hurt me again."
The Handshake Snub (August 2026)
By the time the August 16, 2026 match rolled around, the tension was obvious to everyone. When the players lined up for the traditional pre-game handshake:
- Thiago Mendes walked right past Neymar
- No handshake, no eye contact, no acknowledgment
- The cameras caught the clear snub
This moment told the whole story: six years later, the feud is still alive.
Important Points to Remember
[!NOTE]
Quick Summary of Key Facts
- 2020: Thiago’s hard tackle on Neymar in PSG vs Lyon → Red card for Thiago, sprained ankle for Neymar
- 2020: Thiago apologized publicly; Neymar’s father called the tackle "violent" and "irresponsible"
- February 2026: Second confrontation in Brazil → Both yellow-carded, heated words exchanged
- August 16, 2026: Thiago snubs Neymar in pre-game handshake line before Vasco vs Santos
- Core issue: Neymar believes Thiago plays dirty and targets him; Thiago says it was an accident
Summary
This is a classic sports rivalry that started with one bad tackle in France and continued years later in Brazil.
The timeline is simple:
- 2020 → Dangerous tackle + injury + apology + angry father
- February 2026 → Second fight on the field + insults in interviews
- August 2026 → Public handshake refusal before a big game
Neymar thinks Thiago is a dirty player who targets him. Thiago says it was an accident and he apologized. Six years later, they still don’t like each other—and the handshake snub proved it.
FAQ
Q: Why did Thiago Mendes get a red card in 2020?
A: He made a very hard tackle on Neymar during a PSG vs Lyon game. The referee decided it was dangerous enough to send him off the field immediately.
Q: Did Thiago Mendes apologize for the 2020 tackle?
A: Yes! Right after the game, he posted on social media saying sorry to Neymar and hoping he wasn’t seriously hurt.
Q: What did Neymar’s father say about the tackle?
A: He was very angry. He called it a "violent scissor tackle" that gave Neymar "no chance to defend himself" and criticized the sport for "encouraging this type of player."
Q: What happened in their February 2026 meeting?
A: They argued on the field after a foul, Neymar fell down when Thiago touched his face, both got yellow cards, and they kept fighting verbally all game. Neymar later called Thiago "an idiot" in a TV interview.
Q: Why is the handshake snub such a big deal?
A: In soccer, the pre-game handshake is a sign of respect and sportsmanship. Refusing to shake someone’s hand is a very public way of saying "I don’t respect you" — especially when the whole world is watching.