Brazilian youngster Robinho Jr. has spoken publicly about his recent training ground altercation with Neymar, after reports claimed the Santos star kicked and slapped him across the face following a dribble during a session.
The incident quickly gained attention across Brazilian football media and social platforms, especially due to the close relationship and admiration Robinho Jr. has long had for Neymar.
Addressing the controversy, the young forward admitted the moment initially hurt him emotionally because of the deep respect he has always had for the Brazilian superstar.
“It bothered me, because Neymar is my idol since I was a kid, he’s someone I care about a lot,” Robinho Jr. explained.
“The first gift he gave me was a jersey when I was 8 years old. I cried a lot and I still have it.”
Despite the backlash surrounding the incident, Robinho Jr. insisted the situation escalated far beyond what it should have become and confirmed that Neymar immediately apologized after the altercation.
“The situation took on a dimension it shouldn’t have,” he said. “He was wrong, he already apologized and was man enough to own up to it. I was man enough to talk to him too, and everything’s fine now.”
The youngster also addressed reports regarding legal action and an extrajudicial notice that surfaced shortly after the incident, admitting the reaction came during an emotional moment.
“The extrajudicial notice and lawsuit thing came in a moment of anger from me and my agents,” he revealed. “It was more my emotions than my mind.”
“I could’ve thought twice about it, but it wasn’t meant to hit the media either or to cause all this unnecessary fallout, which was bad for both of us.”
Robinho Jr. repeatedly defended Neymar throughout his statement, stressing that mistakes happen and that the former Barcelona and PSG forward showed immediate remorse.
“Everyone makes mistakes. He’s human just like the rest of us, I could’ve made a mistake too, like I’ve done plenty of times already.”
“That’s what it was, a slap, but in the moment he already apologized. He asked for forgiveness several times and I already told him the apologies are accepted.”
