# Neymar professional and interpersonal controversies

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/neymar-professional-and-interpersonal-controversies
> Updated: 2026-08-25T00:37:24.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 2.

Neymar, playing for Santos FC in the Campeonato Brasileiro, has been involved in several interpersonal and professional controversies.

Following a match against Vasco, Neymar criticized Thiago Mendes for refusing a pre-match handshake, labeling the behavior as “soberba” (arrogance) and a “falta de respeito com o profissional” (lack of respect for the professional). This incident reignited a rivalry stemming from a 2020 injury caused by Mendes.

More recently, following a 1-1 draw with Mirassol, Neymar entered a social media dispute with 69-year-old journalist Fábio Sormani. After Sormani challenged Neymar to a one-on-one dribbling duel, Neymar accepted the invitation via Instagram. However, the exchange escalated when Neymar called the journalist a “velho bundão” after Sormani suggested delaying the match to avoid injury risks.

Concurrently, Neymar has faced scrutiny regarding alleged verbal insults directed at referee Edina Batista Alves during the Mirassol match. A lip-reading specialist released a video alleging that Neymar called her “horrorosa” (horrible) and used profanity. While the referee noted a yellow card issued to Neymar for a reckless challenge, the alleged verbal insults were not included in the official match report.

## Claims

- Journalist Fábio Sormani challenged Neymar to a one-on-one football duel in a small space where Sormani claims he can dispossess the player in five attempts. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Neymar accepted the challenge via Instagram stories, inviting Sormani to the Santos training center. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Sormani responded to the acceptance by requesting the duel take place in São Paulo rather than Santos. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Neymar played the full 90 minutes in Santos' 1-1 draw against Mirassol. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: Neymar Jr. accepts social media challenge from journalist

Neymar Jr. has accepted a social media challenge from journalist Fábio Sormani for a one-on-one football duel, while also facing allegations of insulting a referee during a recent Santos match.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/neymar-accepts-football-challenge-from-journalist-fbio-sormani

### 2026-08-19: Neymar criticizes Thiago Mendes after handshake snub

Neymar criticized Vasco midfielder Thiago Mendes for ignoring his handshake before their recent match, calling the act “arrogance” and a “lack of respect” amid a long-standing rivalry.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/neymar-criticizes-thiago-mendes-after-handshake-snub

---
Cite as: Neymar professional and interpersonal controversies. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/neymar-professional-and-interpersonal-controversies