Thiago Mendes refuses to shake Neymar’s hand because of their six-year feud that began with a hard tackle in 2020. The Vasco da Gama captain injured Neymar during a Ligue 1 match, and tensions flared again in Brazil this year when Neymar publicly called him an idiot. The handshake rejection was Mendes’ answer.
Born on 15 March 1992, the 34-year-old defensive midfielder has played for São Paulo, Lille, Lyon, and Al-Rayyan before returning home. His clash with Neymar has become one of Brazilian football’s most talked-about rivalries.
If you follow Brazilian football, you saw the moment go viral. Neymar stood with his hand out, and Mendes walked straight past him. That single snub reopened a rivalry six years in the making. This piece breaks down the whole story: who Thiago Mendes is, how the feud started, what happened on Sunday, and where things stand now.
Who Is Thiago Mendes?
Thiago Henrique Mendes Ribeiro is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Vasco da Gama in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. He born on 15 March 1992 in São Luís, he stands 1.77 meters tall and wears the number 23 shirt. He is known for his combative, physical style in midfield.
His career has taken him across three continents. He came through at Goiás, earned a big move to São Paulo, then crossed to Europe with Lille in 2017. From there he joined Lyon, where his path first crossed with Neymar in a way neither would forget.
At Vasco, Mendes has become a leader and even a scorer. He finished as the club’s joint-top scorer in the 2026 season, which is rare for a holding midfielder and shows how much responsibility he carries.
Thiago Mendes Quick Facts
Here is a snapshot of the details fans search for most.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Thiago Henrique Mendes Ribeiro |
| Date of birth | 15 March 1992 |
| Age | 34 |
| Birthplace | São Luís, Brazil |
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Position | Defensive midfielder |
| Current club | Vasco da Gama |
| Jersey number | 23 |
| Preferred foot | Right |
Thiago Mendes Career Journey
Thiago Mendes started his professional career at Goiás in 2011, helping the club win promotion from Série B. His steady performances earned a move to São Paulo in 2015, where he made over 140 appearances and reached the 2016 Copa Sudamericana final. That form put European scouts on alert.
In July 2017, Lille signed him for a fee reported to be worth up to 9 million euros. Two seasons in Ligue 1 built his reputation as a reliable defensive presence. Then in 2019, he moved to Lyon, a bigger stage where his career would take a dramatic turn.
Here is how his club path has unfolded:
- Goiás (2012 to 2014): Broke through and won promotion.
- São Paulo (2015 to 2017): Over 140 games, a Copa Sudamericana final.
- Lille (2017 to 2019): Established himself in Ligue 1.
- Lyon (2019 to 2023): His most high-profile European spell.
- Al-Rayyan (2023 to 2025): A move to Qatar.
- Vasco da Gama (2025 to present): A return home after six years abroad.
He joined Vasco on a free transfer in July 2025, signing a deal through to the end of 2027. He said he wanted to reconnect with Brazilian football and feel the energy of the fans again.
How Did the Thiago Mendes and Neymar Feud Start?
The feud between Thiago Mendes and Neymar began in December 2020 during a Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon. Mendes caught Neymar with a hard, mistimed challenge and was sent off. Neymar came off worse, suffering a sprained left ankle that forced him from the pitch in tears.
At the time, Mendes actually apologised on social media. He said he hoped his fellow Brazilian had not been badly hurt and insisted the tackle was not meant with bad intent. So the story did not start with obvious hatred. It started with a reckless tackle and an apology that never fully settled things.
Neymar himself stayed publicly measured back then, expressing relief that the injury was not worse. His father was far less forgiving.
What Neymar’s Father Said
Neymar’s father spoke out sharply after the 2020 incident. He described the tackle as an irresponsible, violent scissor challenge that came from the side and left his son no chance to protect himself. His words captured the anger inside the Neymar camp that lingered long after the match.
That reaction matters because it kept the wound open. What could have faded as a bad tackle became a lasting grievance, remembered and referenced years later.
The Rivalry Reignites in Brazil
The two Brazilians ended up back in the same league when both returned home. Earlier in the year, Santos and Vasco met, and old tensions surfaced fast. Neymar was frustrated by a foul and confronted Mendes in the first half, and the pair began arguing on the pitch.
The situation escalated when Neymar went down after Mendes touched his face. Both players were shown yellow cards, and the arguing carried on into the tunnel at halftime. It was clear the 2020 tackle had never really been forgotten by either man.
After that game, Neymar did not hold back. He told Sportv that Mendes always wants to start trouble and act tough, and he called him an idiot. Those comments set the tone for what came next.
What Happened in the Handshake Snub?
Before Vasco hosted Santos at São Januário, the players lined up for the traditional pre-match handshakes. When Neymar reached Thiago Mendes, the Vasco captain simply walked past, refusing to shake his hand. Neymar was left with his arm out, doing a double-take as the moment played out on camera.
The clip went viral within minutes. Neymar’s official social media page reacted with a lamenting emoji, and the story dominated Brazilian football coverage. It was a small gesture with a loud message: the feud was still very much alive.
Vasco supporters added to the atmosphere. Fans handed out masks of Neymar crying and gave the Santos forward a hostile reception throughout the afternoon. What might have been a private snub turned into a full stadium spectacle.
How Did People React to the Snub?
Neymar’s inner circle hit back quickly. His close friend Jota Amancio criticised Mendes on social media, referencing a well-known idea linked to Ronaldinho that true superstars tend to be easy-going while lesser players carry bigger egos. It was a pointed dig aimed straight at the Vasco captain.
On the pitch, though, Santos had the final word. They beat Vasco 3-0 at São Januário, letting Neymar and his teammates celebrate on Mendes’ home ground. For all the pre-match drama, the result went the way of Neymar’s side.
Why Won’t Thiago Mendes Let It Go?
The honest answer is that both men have kept the rivalry going, not just one of them. Mendes delivered the tackle and the snub, but Neymar delivered the public insults and reopened the 2020 wound during their earlier clash this year. This is a two-way grudge, not a one-sided vendetta.
For Mendes, the snub looked like a statement. He had apologised once, been called an idiot in the media, and clearly decided he owed Neymar no courtesy. Whether you see that as principled or petty depends on which side you support.
Thiago Mendes at Vasco da Gama Today
At Vasco, Thiago Mendes has grown into a central figure. He wears the captain’s armband, anchors the midfield, and even chips in with goals. He finished the 2026 league season as the club’s joint-top scorer with several strikes, an unusual feat for a defensive midfielder.
His experience across Europe and Qatar gives Vasco a steady, battle-hardened presence. At 34, he brings leadership to a squad that has gone through plenty of change, including managerial turnover during the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Thiago Mendes?
Thiago Mendes is a Brazilian defensive midfielder who plays for and captains Vasco da Gama in Brazil’s Série A. Born on 15 March 1992 in São Luís, he has previously played for Goiás, São Paulo, Lille, Lyon and Al-Rayyan. He is known for his physical midfield style and his ongoing feud with Neymar.
Why did Thiago Mendes snub Neymar’s handshake?
Thiago Mendes refused to shake Neymar’s hand before a Vasco versus Santos match because of a long-running feud between them. It dates back to a 2020 tackle that injured Neymar, and it flared up again earlier in the year when the pair clashed on the pitch and Neymar publicly called Mendes an idiot. The snub was his response.
How did the Neymar and Thiago Mendes feud start?
The feud started in December 2020 during a Ligue 1 match between PSG and Lyon. Mendes caught Neymar with a hard challenge and was sent off, while Neymar suffered a sprained ankle. Mendes apologised at the time, but Neymar’s father criticised the tackle sharply, and the bad feeling never fully went away.
What teams has Thiago Mendes played for?
Thiago Mendes has played for Goiás, São Paulo, Lille, Lyon, Al-Rayyan and Vasco da Gama. He began at Goiás in 2011, moved to São Paulo in 2015, then to Europe with Lille in 2017 and Lyon in 2019. After a spell in Qatar with Al-Rayyan, he returned to Brazil with Vasco in 2025.
How old is Thiago Mendes and how tall is he?
Thiago Mendes was born on 15 March 1992, which makes him 34 years old. He stands 1.77 metres tall, roughly 5 feet 10 inches, and plays as a right-footed defensive midfielder. His build and physical style suit his role at the base of midfield, where he breaks up play and shields the defence.
Who won the Vasco versus Santos match?
Santos beat Vasco da Gama 3-0 at São Januário, the same match where Thiago Mendes snubbed Neymar’s handshake. Despite the hostile home atmosphere and the pre-match drama, Neymar’s Santos side had the last laugh on the scoreboard, celebrating a comfortable win on Mendes’ home ground.
Final Word
Thiago Mendes is far more than a footnote in Neymar’s story. He is an experienced, respected midfielder who has captained Vasco da Gama and played at a high level across Europe. The handshake snub grabbed the headlines, but it sits on top of a six-year history that both men have kept burning.
The feud may cool one day, or it may flare up again the next time Vasco meet Santos. Either way, Thiago Mendes has made sure his name stays part of one of Brazilian football’s most talked-about rivalries. Keep watching, because with these two, the next chapter is never far away.
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