{
  "id": 1420154,
  "title": "Awkward Scenes! Neymar Snubbed By Thiago Mendes As Old Feud Resurfaces In Brazil | VIDEO",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/awkward-scenes-neymar-snubbed-by-thiago-mendes-as-old-feud-resurfaces",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-17T04:30:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/awkward-scenes-neymar-snubbed-by-thiago-mendes-as-old-feud-resurfaces-in-brazil-video"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An intriguing incident occurred during a football match on Sunday at São Januário, where Neymar and Thiago Mendes exchanged an awkward moment during the pre-match handshakes. The brief encounter quickly became a major talking point on social media, as Thiago Mendes seemingly ignored Neymar without acknowledging him. While no public confrontation took place, the cold exchange drew widespread attention. Neymar was visibly surprised by the snub, as captured in a viral video. The Neymar-Thiago Mendes rivalry dates back to their time in Ligue 1, when Neymar was at PSG and Mendes played for Lyon. In 2020, Mendes received a red card after a reckless challenge on Neymar, causing the Brazilian superstar to suffer an ankle sprain. Although Mendes later apologized publicly, the incident left a lasting impression on their history. Despite the off-field drama, Santos emerged victorious in the match, defeating their rivals with a convincing 3-0 win, which added to the tension surrounding the game.",
  "summary": "A long-running rivalry between Neymar and Thiago Mendes appeared to flare up again on Sunday at São Januário. The Vasco da Gama midfielder seemingly ignored the Santos superstar during the customary pre-match handshakes. The brief moment quickly became a major talking point on social media. As the players went through the traditional greetings before kick-off, Mendes appeared to pass Neymar…",
  "key_points": [
    "Neymar snubbed by Thiago Mendes during pre-match handshakes",
    "Cold exchange sparks social media buzz and rivalry reminder",
    "Santos wins 3-0 match despite off-field drama"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The cold exchange between Neymar and Thiago Mendes during pre-match handshakes suggests their long-standing rivalry remains unsettled, adding a layer of tension to their on-field interactions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}