Robson de Souza Jr. — known as Robinho Jr. — was involved in an alleged physical confrontation with Neymar Jr. during Sunday training at the Rei Pelé Training Centre, and Santos announced an internal investigation into the episode.
Santos Futebol Clube said: "Santos Futebol Clube has become aware of an alleged physical assault committed by a player affiliated with Santos Futebol Clube against another player at the club" and added in a separate statement: "Santos FC announces that, following a decision by the club's board, an internal investigation was launched immediately after the incident to examine the episode involving the players Neymar Jr. and Robson de Souza Jr. [Robinho] during training on Sunday at the Rei Pelé Training Centre." The club also made clear that "The club's Legal Department is responsible for conducting the investigation."
Sources told that Neymar, 34, reacted after Robinho Jr., 18, dribbled past him during a session for players who did not feature in Santos's 1-1 Serie A draw with Palmeiras a day earlier. Those same sources said Neymar tripped Robinho Jr., and teammates separated the pair after a heated argument.
The dispute has sharpened because GloboEsporte reported that Robinho Jr. made three allegations against Neymar and asked for a meeting with Santos to discuss terminating his contract, citing a lack of minimum safety standards at the club. GloboEsporte said Robinho Jr. accused Neymar of having "hurled offensive insults," of tripping him and of delivering "a violent slap to the face."
After the incident, Neymar privately contacted Robinho Jr. and his family, according to sources, and the player later issued a brief apology in private. Neymar said: "Neymar spoke with the young player to apologize for his impulsive behavior." Robinho Jr.'s camp, however, rejected that private outreach as insufficient, writing that "a private gesture is insufficient" and continuing to demand a formal public apology.
Robinho Jr. was promoted to Santos's first team last summer and has made eight appearances in all competitions this season. The timing of the clash — on the training day after the 1-1 draw with Palmeiras and with Santos scheduled to face Deportivo Recoleta in the Copa Sudamericana group stage on Tuesday — has added urgency to how the club handles the matter.
By Monday morning training, the two players had reportedly shared a seemingly friendly conversation, a rapid thaw that underlines the tension inside a squad trying to prepare for competitive fixtures. That quick reconciliation, against the backdrop of public allegations and demands for a contract meeting, is the clearest contradiction in the episode: club officials and teammates want continuity; the accuser's camp is pushing for formal remedies.
The central question now is whether Santos's internal probe, run by the club's Legal Department, will satisfy Robinho Jr.'s camp and defuse a dispute that risks disrupting the team before Tuesday's continental fixture. If the investigation does not lead to a public apology or other action acceptable to Robinho Jr., his request to discuss terminating his contract could become the decisive escalation.
How Santos balances a fast-moving internal inquiry, the club’s match schedule and the competing demands from a household-name star and an 18-year-old promoted prospect will determine whether this is a contained training-room incident or the start of a longer rupture within the squad.
