Neymar apologises for slapping Robinho Jr during heated training session with Santos as Brazil World Cup hopeful admits he 'crossed the line'

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward was caught slapping his team-mate Robson de Souza Jr, better known as Robinho Jr, this week following a heated confrontation as tempers flared at Santos' Centro de Treinamento Rei Pele.

It created a media storm in the Brazilian press, but Neymar put the incident to bed after celebrating his goal during Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Deportivo Recoleta by racing off to embrace Robinho Jr, who was on the bench.

Apologising for his well-documented actions, the 34-year-old told reporters after the game: "If they [Robinho Jr's entourage] want an apology to the press, here it is. I'd already apologised to him [Robinho Jr] and his family. I crossed the line.

"I did overreact, yes, in the way I reacted. It could have been different, but I ended up losing my head.

"Everyone makes mistakes; it was my mistake, his mistake, I made a slightly bigger mistake. We got together again on Monday, I apologised in front of the whole group, I spoke to everyone, he apologised too, we thought it was sorted."

Neymar will hope now that it is an end to the episode, after Robinho initially reported the incident as a physical assault, leading to Santos opening up an internal investigation over what took place.

The clash occurred during Sunday's training session after the 18-year-old, who has made 22 league appearances for Santos, dribbled past the veteran forward.

The club stated: "Santos FC informs that by determination of the presidency, an internal inquiry process was instituted immediately after the facts occurred to analyse the episode involving athletes Neymar Jr and Robson de Souza Jr during training this last Sunday at CT Rei Pele. The club's legal department is responsible for conducting the inquiry."

Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte reported that Robinho was initially willing to take the matter further, having consulted his agent. A formal document had been submitted demanding action and greater transparency over Neymar's conduct during the training session.

According to the complaint, Robinho Jr alleged that Neymar Jr ”uttered offensive insults, committed a trip and delivered a violent slap to the face” of the teenager.

The player's representatives called for the release of footage from the session, alongside an urgent meeting with club officials to address what they described as an ”absence of minimum security conditions” at the club’s training ground.

Robinho Jr has denied that he was using the altercation as leverage to force a move out of the club, telling reporters: "It was a situation that upset me because he has been my idol since I was a child.

"People around us say a lot of things that aren't true and it's sad to see it blow up to this level. But I'm fine, I like him a lot, we've already talked and it's all sorted.

"My life is at Santos; that's why I renewed my contract. I'm desperate to do my bit for this club; I believe I've shown very little of what Robinho Jr is capable of, both on and off the pitch."

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