Brazilian star Neymar, 34, has publicly apologized for slapping Robinho Junior, the 18-year-old son of Brazilian legend Robinho, during a training session with Santos. The incident, reported by the BBC and other outlets, occurred on May 3 when Neymar lost his composure after being dribbled past.
Robinho Junior complained that Neymar “slapped him in the face,” prompting an internal investigation by the club. Speaking to local media on May 5, Neymar said, “It’s all resolved. If you want me to apologize in front of the media, here is my apology.” He added, “My reaction was excessive. I could have handled it differently, but I crossed the line. Everyone makes mistakes. This was my mistake, and also his. However, mine was a bit bigger.”
Neymar also offered an excuse, saying, “I have a special affection for him. This happens often in football. Friends and brothers argue sometimes. That’s football—it’s part of the game.”
Robinho Junior, meanwhile, said, “Neymar has been my idol since childhood, so this incident was very shocking. I’m sad it blew up this much, but we’ve talked and everything is resolved.”
As Neymar’s potential inclusion in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off on June 11, remains a hot topic, he has instead grabbed global headlines for this controversial moment.
