Although Neymar admitted he was wrong for slapping Robinho, the squad defends him as a reaction to Robinho’s representatives filing an extrajudicial notice. The players view this legal move as a 'spoiled' attitude, preferring internal resolution. Consequently, Neymar starts the match against Recoleta while Robinho is benched. orlando-books.blog
This internal unity contrasts with growing concerns from the CBF regarding Neymar's discipline ahead of the 2026 World Cup. With Santos president Marcelo Teixeira investigating and the history of altercations with teammates like Wéverton, the striker's World Cup hopes under Carlo Ancelotti remain uncertain.
