RECOLETA — Neymar publicly apologised to Santos teammate Robinho Jr on Wednesday for slapping him during a training session. The apology came after Santos's 1-1 draw against Recoleta in Paraguay on Tuesday in the Copa Sudamericana.

"If you want an apology in front of the press, here it is. I had already apologised to him and to his family. I crossed the line," Neymar said.

The 34-year-old forward scored Santos's goal during the match and hugged Robinho Jr during the celebration. Speaking about his relationship with the 18-year-old teammate, Neymar said: "He's a boy I like very much, for whom I have a special affection. It happens in football; you argue with your friend, your brother."

Santos opened an investigation earlier in the week after the altercation, the club said. According to Brazilian media, the spat occurred because Neymar did not appreciate being dribbled past by his teenage teammate during a training session on Sunday. Robinho Jr confirmed that Neymar had slapped him.

"Everything is resolved," Robinho Jr said after the Copa Sudamericana match on Tuesday. "It's a situation that upset me because he's been my idol since childhood. I talked about it with my parents, and I accept his apology."

Neymar hopes to be called up by coach Carlo Ancelotti for this year's World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19. He has not played for Brazil since October 2023. Ancelotti is due to name his final squad on May 18.