Vasco v Santos: Thiago Mendes snubs Neymar before kick-off | OneFootball

Thiago Mendes snubbed Neymar before kick-off in Vasco v Santos at São Januário, with the long-running feud surfacing during pre-match protocol in the 23rd round of the Brasileirão. According to Globo.com, the captains did not acknowledge each other.

As the teams lined up for the national anthem, Neymar extended a hand. The Vasco midfielder walked straight past without speaking.

At the coin toss the pair stood face to face to decide ends and ball. Once the formalities finished, Mendes left the area and did not shake the referees’ hands.

They exchanged club pennants, but no words were shared.

The bad blood dates back to 2020 in PSG v Lyon in the French league. In stoppage time Neymar left on a stretcher in tears after a scissor challenge by Mendes, who was sent off following a VAR review and later received a three-match ban from the French federation.

In the first-round meeting at Vila Belmiro the pair argued. Neymar insulted Mendes, and the Vasco midfielder demanded respect from the Santos number 10 after he told the Vasco crowd to shut up following his goal.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”