Neymar ‘may have jeopardised’ World Cup hopes after slap on Robinho Jr | OneFootball

Neymar’s World Cup hopes may have suffered another blow after he allegedly slapped Santos team-mate Robinho Jr during Sunday’s training session. Globo reports that the altercation has raised fresh doubts over his 2026 prospects under Carlo Ancelotti.

Santos face Recoleta FC in Paraguay in the Copa Sudamericana group stage overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, yet attention has centred on the incident two days earlier.

It began with an on-field dribble by Robinho Jr, 18, which Neymar, 34, took as an affront. A verbal exchange escalated into a slap and a trip that sent the youngster to the ground. The moment jarred further given Neymar’s long-standing closeness to Robinho’s father and his informal mentorship of the son.

Santos have opened an internal investigation and Neymar is said to have apologised. Robinho Jr’s camp have issued an ultimatum seeking concrete measures, otherwise a contract termination will be considered. Both players are in Asuncion ahead of the tie.

Neymar returned to Santos in 2025 to relaunch his career and push for a place in the United States, but injuries, fitness doubts and mixed displays had already left him on the fringes. Within Ancelotti’s staff, the ongoing media saga around his inclusion has caused irritation. This episode may further weaken an already fragile case.

Source: L'Équipe