Handshake Dispute Overshadows Santos' Dominant Victory Over Vasco

In a match marked by controversy, Santos triumphed over Vasco with a 3-0 scoreline, but the spotlight shifted to a handshake snub between Neymar and Thiago Mendes. This incident, which reignited their long-standing feud, overshadowed the game itself. The tension between the two players dates back to a 2020 clash in Ligue 1, and recent encounters have only intensified their rivalry. As discussions about their relationship dominate headlines, future matches could be affected by this ongoing discord. Read on to explore the details of this unfolding drama in Brazilian football.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 17, 2026, 18:22 IST

Santos Triumphs Amid Controversy

Santos secured a convincing 3-0 win against Vasco in the Brazilian Serie A, but the match was marred by a notable incident before it even began. Thiago Mendes notably rejected a handshake from Neymar, reigniting a long-standing feud between the two players.

This moment, captured in a viral video shared on August 16, 2026, showed Mendes and Neymar separated by the customary pre-match greeting just moments before the game commenced. Despite Santos' impressive performance, the handshake snub quickly became the focal point of discussions.

| Thiago Mendes declines to shake Neymar Jr.'s hand before the match. ❌pic.twitter.com/IzCz2LDMJ3

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) August 16, 2026

Background of the Dispute

The tension between Neymar and Mendes dates back to 2020, during a Ligue 1 match where Mendes received a red card for a harsh tackle on Neymar. Following the incident, Mendes apologized on social media, expressing concern for Neymar's well-being.

Neymar, who suffered a sprained left ankle from the tackle, did not directly respond to Mendes at that time but later expressed relief that the injury wasn't more severe. However, the incident left a lasting impression and resurfaced in subsequent matches.

Handshake Snub Dominates Headlines

Despite Santos' clear victory, the focus in Brazil shifted to the handshake incident and its implications for the relationship between the two players. The moment, widely circulated on social media, overshadowed the match itself and reignited discussions about their ongoing rivalry.

Earlier this year, tensions flared again when Neymar confronted Mendes after a foul during a match, leading to a heated exchange. Both players received yellow cards as their confrontation continued throughout the game.

Continuing Tensions

Neymar later referenced the 2020 tackle during a halftime interview, accusing Mendes of attempting to provoke him. He described Mendes as an 'idiot' and recalled the injury he sustained during their previous encounter.

Neymar's father also weighed in on the situation, criticizing Mendes' tackle and highlighting the ongoing nature of their conflict. With this long-standing feud now back in the spotlight, future encounters between their teams may continue to be charged with tension.