Thiago Mendes Exchanges Club Pennant With Neymar But Draws The Line At Shaking His Hand
Thiago Mendes has demonstrated that football’s pre-match protocols can survive even when the people carrying them out would rather not speak to each other.
The Vasco da Gama midfielder refused to shake Neymar’s hand before Sunday’s Série A meeting with Santos at São Januário, continuing a dispute between the two players which now stretches back almost six years.
Neymar extended his hand as the teams went through the usual pre-match greetings, only for Mendes to walk straight past him. The two captains then met again for the coin toss, where they largely ignored one another and exchanged no words.
Thiago Mendes ignorou Neymar na hora do cumprimento das equipes. pic.twitter.com/VievPWriQl
— njdeprê – marlon (@njdmarlon) August 16, 2026
They did, however, exchange the traditional club pennants.
There are apparently levels to these things.
The tension between the pair dates back to December 2020, when Mendes was playing for Lyon and was sent off following a VAR review for a challenge which left Neymar, then at Paris Saint-Germain, leaving the pitch on a stretcher. Mendes was subsequently suspended for three matches.
Their relationship had already resurfaced this season when Santos beat Vasco in February. Mendes confronted Neymar after the Santos forward celebrated towards the Vasco supporters, with both players booked during the resulting argument. Neymar later publicly criticised Mendes, while the Vasco midfielder said he had been defending his club’s supporters.
Sunday therefore provided another opportunity for reconciliation.
It lasted until the handshake line.
The match itself went considerably better for Neymar’s side. Santos won 3-0, with Gabigol, Willian Arão and Luan Peres scoring all three goals in the second half as the visitors moved out of the relegation zone.
Neymar and Mendes managed to complete their duties as captains without adding another confrontation to the history between them.
The club pennants changed hands as required.
Their hands did not.
