Santos forward Neymar and Vasco da Gama midfielder Thiago Mendes could face each other again in the Copa do Brasil semi-finals after continuing their personal feud during Sunday's match at São Januário. Santos secured a victory over Vasco in the 23rd round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, but the fixture was marked by visible coldness between the team captains.
Standing side-by-side during the refereeing protocol before kick-off, Neymar and Mendes refused to exchange greetings or shake hands. During the coin toss, the two kept their distance and avoided any interaction before Mendes quickly walked away. They did not exchange words throughout the pre-match procedures, with their only physical proximity occurring during the traditional exchange of club pennants.
Santos FC, a historic club based in the state of São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro side Vasco da Gama are both competing in the upper tier of Brazilian football. The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A serves as the country's national league, running alongside the Copa do Brasil knockout tournament.
Potential Copa do Brasil Semi-Final
Both teams have reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 Copa do Brasil. Santos has been drawn against rival São Paulo club Palmeiras, while Vasco da Gama will play against Salvador-based side Vitória.
If Santos defeats Palmeiras in their São Paulo derby and Vasco da Gama wins against Vitória, the two teams will meet in the semi-finals. That potential clash would put Neymar and Mendes face-to-face once again later this season.
The Copa do Brasil is Brazil's main domestic cup competition, offering a direct route to continental tournaments. Palmeiras, one of Santos's chief regional rivals in São Paulo, and Vitória, a major club from the state of Bahia, complete the quarter-final bracket for their respective matchups.
Origins of the French League Feud
The animosity between the two players originated on 13 December 2020 during a French Ligue 1 match between Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain. Playing for Lyon, Mendes committed a heavy tackle on Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar in stoppage time of Lyon's 1-0 victory.
Neymar's left ankle became trapped in the turf during the challenge, causing him to fall in severe pain and leave the field crying on a stretcher. Match officials initially showed Mendes a yellow card before upgrading it to a red card after a Video Assistant Referee review. The French Football Federation subsequently handed the midfielder a three-match suspension.
Neymar suffered a sprain in his left ankle alongside a bone contusion, which kept him out of action for approximately one month. On the day after the match, Mendes published a video apologizing and stating that he had no intention of injuring Neymar. However, the conflict escalated off the pitch as members of Mendes's family received threats from Paris Saint-Germain supporters.
Escalation at Vila Belmiro
The feud resurfaced six years later during a first-round Brasileirão match between Santos and Vasco at Vila Belmiro. After scoring a goal for Santos, Neymar celebrated by making a shushing gesture toward the visiting Vasco supporters.
Mendes reacted to the provocation, leading to an argument on the pitch that required teammates to intervene. Neymar accused the midfielder of attempting a headbutt during the confrontation, though video replays indicated simulation by the Santos forward. The referee issued yellow cards to both players.
Following that match, Neymar publicly criticized Mendes, calling him an idiot, with all respect, and claiming that the midfielder was always trying to start trouble and act tough. The Santos number 10 also recalled the 2020 tackle in France and asserted that Mendes had threatened to break him again.
Mendes took a more restrained approach when explaining the incident, stating that he had simply asked for respect during Neymar's celebration. The defensive midfielder maintained that the dispute was merely part of the competitive nature of the match.
