Thiago Mendes and Neymar: Why Are They Feuding?
Thiago Mendes has become one of the most talked-about players in Brazilian football after his recent clashes with Neymar. The Vasco da Gama midfielder and Santos star have a rivalry that goes back several years, and their latest meeting in the Brasileirão brought the story back into the spotlight.
On August 16, 2026, Santos defeated Vasco 3-0 at São Januário. Before the match, Neymar reportedly extended his hand toward Thiago Mendes, but the Vasco midfielder did not return the gesture. The two players subsequently exchanged the customary club pennants without a handshake.
The moment immediately attracted attention because the relationship between the two Brazilians has been tense since their time in French football.
What Happened Between Thiago Mendes and Neymar?
The original dispute dates back to December 2020, when Thiago Mendes was playing for Lyon and Neymar represented Paris Saint-Germain.
During a Ligue 1 match between PSG and Lyon, Mendes made a late challenge on Neymar. The PSG forward suffered an ankle injury and had to leave the pitch. Mendes was initially shown a yellow card, but the decision was upgraded to a red card following VAR intervention. He was subsequently suspended for three matches.
Mendes later apologized publicly for the incident. However, the episode remained part of the history between the two players.
That history became important again when they met in Brazil.
Neymar Beef Reignited at Santos vs Vasco
The rivalry returned dramatically during Santos’ 2-1 victory over Vasco at the Vila Belmiro on February 26, 2026.
Neymar scored for Santos and celebrated by gesturing for the Vasco supporters to be quiet. Thiago Mendes confronted him over the celebration, leading to a heated exchange between the two players.
Neymar later criticized Mendes in an interview, referring to their previous confrontation in France. Mendes, meanwhile, said that he felt disrespected by Neymar’s behavior and explained his side of the argument.
The confrontation quickly spread across Brazilian football media and social networks.
Thiago Mendes vs Neymar: What Is the History?
The rivalry can essentially be divided into three major chapters:
- 2020: Mendes’ challenge injured Neymar during PSG vs Lyon.
- February 2026: The players clashed during Santos vs Vasco at the Vila Belmiro.
- August 2026: Mendes and Neymar met again at São Januário, where the lack of a handshake revived the story.
The latest incident did not develop into a major confrontation during the match. Instead, the pre-game interaction became the headline.
That is important because the rivalry has often been discussed as a footballing dispute rather than a confirmed personal feud away from the pitch.
Thiago Mendes at Vasco
Thiago Mendes is a Brazilian defensive midfielder who joined Vasco da Gama in 2025.
Vasco announced his signing in July 2025, confirming that the midfielder had agreed to a contract running through December 2027. The club described him as an experienced player returning to Brazilian football after several seasons overseas.
Born in São Luís, Maranhão, Mendes began his professional career at Goiás before establishing himself at São Paulo. He later moved to Europe, where he played for Lille and Lyon, before continuing his career with Al-Rayyan in Qatar.
His experience has made him an important part of Vasco’s midfield.
Vasco’s official squad profile lists Mendes as a defensive midfielder, with a height of 1.76 metres and a birth date of March 15, 1992.
Thiago Mendes Jogador Profile
Thiago Henrique Mendes Ribeiro is the player’s full name.
He is primarily a defensive midfielder and is known for his physical approach, defensive work and ability to operate in central midfield. His career has included clubs in Brazil, France and Qatar.
Thiago Mendes career clubs
- Goiás
- São Paulo
- Lille
- Lyon
- Al-Rayyan
- Vasco da Gama
His move to Vasco represented a return to Brazilian football after his spell in Qatar.
The Vasco club profile lists him as a midfielder and records his current squad number as 23.
Thiago Mendes Career in Europe
Mendes’ move to Europe came after his successful period at São Paulo.
He joined Lille in 2017 and subsequently moved to Lyon in 2019. His time in France was particularly significant because it placed him in the same footballing environment as Neymar.
The midfielder later moved to Al-Rayyan in Qatar before returning to Brazil with Vasco in 2025. Vasco’s announcement highlighted his previous experience at Lille, Lyon and Al-Rayyan.
His European experience remains an important part of his profile as a veteran Brazilian midfielder.
Thiago Mendes Instagram
Thiago Mendes has maintained an active presence on social media, particularly through posts connected to his football career and Vasco.
His Instagram activity became especially notable after the February 2026 confrontation with Neymar. According to ge, his social-media profile was flooded with comments and Neymar-related posts from fans following the incident. A photograph of Mendes marking Neymar during their French football days also attracted significant attention.
Mendes subsequently continued posting about his professional life and Vasco.
In February 2026, he shared a message following the controversy with Neymar, while later posts focused on his work with the club and his teammates.
Searches for Thiago Mendes’ Instagram can be confusing because several accounts using his name exist online. Readers should verify the account carefully before assuming that a profile is the footballer’s official account.
Did Thiago Mendes Ignore Neymar?
Yes. The latest widely reported incident occurred before Vasco vs Santos on August 16, 2026.
Neymar reportedly attempted to greet Mendes by extending his hand. Mendes did not reciprocate, and the two then completed the formal exchange of club pennants without shaking hands.
The moment was particularly notable because both players were captains for their respective sides.
However, there was no major physical confrontation between them during the August match.
Vasco vs Santos Result
The latest meeting ended with a convincing Santos victory.
Santos won 3-0 at São Januário, with all three goals coming in the second half. Gabriel Barbosa opened the scoring, while Willian Arão and Luan Peres completed the victory. Neymar played an important role in the final two goals, with his free kicks creating opportunities that resulted in rebounds and goals.
The result had significant implications in the relegation battle.
Santos moved out of the relegation zone, while Vasco remained in danger near the bottom of the Brasileirão table.
Is Thiago Mendes Still a Vasco Player?
Yes. Thiago Mendes remains a Vasco da Gama player in 2026.
Vasco signed him in July 2025 on a contract through December 2027.
The club’s official profile continues to list Mendes in its first-team squad.
His experience is valuable for a Vasco side competing in the Brazilian top flight, and he has also contributed goals during the 2026 campaign.
Thiago Mendes Stats
Official CBF records list Thiago Mendes as a Vasco player and show his 2026 involvement in Brazilian competitions. The CBF profile records 19 matches and five goals in the referenced 2026 competition data.
Vasco’s own squad profile also records his contribution for the club, while statistics databases provide additional competition-by-competition figures.
Because statistics can change as a season progresses, individual totals should always be checked against the latest competition records.
Thiago Mendes Age and Height
Thiago Mendes was born on March 15, 1992, in São Luís, Brazil.
His age is therefore 34 in August 2026.
Vasco lists his height at 1.76 metres, while some football databases list him at approximately 1.77 metres.
Why Is Thiago Mendes Trending?
Thiago Mendes is trending largely because of his continuing rivalry with Neymar.
The August 2026 handshake incident came only months after their heated exchange during Santos vs Vasco in February. That earlier confrontation had already attracted substantial attention on social media, including activity directed at Mendes’ Instagram profile.
The latest meeting therefore became more than a normal league fixture. Fans were watching closely to see whether the two players would interact.
Their brief pre-match exchange suggested that the tension had not completely disappeared.
Thiago Mendes and Neymar: The Bigger Picture
It is tempting to describe the situation simply as a long-running “beef,” but the publicly reported history is more nuanced.
The disagreement began with a serious footballing incident in 2020. Mendes apologized after the challenge, but the incident remained memorable because Neymar suffered an injury.
Years later, the two players found themselves facing one another again in Brazil. Their February 2026 argument revived the old controversy, while the August meeting added another chapter.
There is no need to assume that every interaction between the two represents a new dispute. The latest handshake incident, for example, was notable mainly because of their previous history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Thiago Mendes?
Thiago Mendes is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Vasco da Gama. His full name is Thiago Henrique Mendes Ribeiro.
What happened between Thiago Mendes and Neymar?
Their rivalry dates to 2020, when Mendes was playing for Lyon and Neymar was with PSG. Mendes made a challenge that injured Neymar and was later sent off. Their dispute resurfaced during Santos vs Vasco in February 2026.
Is Thiago Mendes a Vasco player?
Yes. Vasco signed Thiago Mendes in 2025 on a contract through December 2027.
Why did Thiago Mendes ignore Neymar?
Before Vasco vs Santos on August 16, 2026, Neymar extended his hand toward Mendes, but the Vasco midfielder did not return the handshake. The incident was widely viewed in the context of their previous rivalry.
What is Thiago Mendes’ Instagram?
Thiago Mendes has used social media to share updates about his career and Vasco. Because multiple accounts can appear in searches, fans should verify an account before treating it as official.
How old is Thiago Mendes?
Thiago Mendes was born on March 15, 1992, making him 34 years old in August 2026.
How tall is Thiago Mendes?
Vasco lists Thiago Mendes at 1.76 metres tall.
Conclusion
Thiago Mendes has become a major talking point in Brazilian football not only because of his role at Vasco but also because of his long-running history with Neymar.
Their rivalry began in France in 2020, returned during Santos vs Vasco in February 2026 and gained another chapter before the August 16 meeting at São Januário. This time, the most discussed moment was a simple refusal to shake hands.
On the football side, Mendes remains an experienced Vasco midfielder with a career spanning Brazil, France and Qatar. As the 2026 season continues, his performances for Vasco will remain the primary story—but whenever Neymar is involved, their unusual history is likely to attract attention again.
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