Court documents filed with Regional Labor Court No. 1 reveal the 34-year-old chef's allegations that her duties for Neymar far surpassed their initial agreement, resulting in significant physical harm.

Neymar is accused of demanding his private chef to overwork. Photo: Daily Mail

After his time playing for Al Hilal was cut short by a serious hamstring injury, Neymar returned to Brazil to join Santos in 1/2025.

The footballer currently resides in Mangaratiba, a coastal municipality in Rio de Janeiro state, where he owns two luxury villas. The chef was employed at Neymar's main property, Casa Hotel Portobello, from 7/2025 to 2/2026.

Her initial contract outlined working hours from 7h to 17h, Monday through Thursday, and from 7h to 16h on Friday. However, the lawsuit, reported by Brazilian newspaper Metropoles on 7/3, claims she frequently worked until 23h or midnight, including weekends.

Furthermore, the employee stated she often worked through her contractually mandated lunch breaks.

The chef attributed her back pain and hip inflammation to the demanding workload. She recounted regularly carrying meat blocks weighing about 10 kg, hauling numerous heavy grocery bags from the supermarket, and standing for extended periods in the kitchen.

During her employment, she earned approximately 1,400 USD per month. She is now seeking over 50,000 USD in damages, which include: severance pay, overtime wages, compensation for missed breaks, medical expenses, and other related costs.

The lawsuit names not only Neymar but also an intermediary agency, which hired her to work for the Santos superstar, as a defendant.

Brazilian media reports that Neymar's contract with Santos for the 2025-2026 season is worth approximately 15.8 million USD, a figure that includes a share of profits from sponsorships and investments tied to his return to his boyhood club. The 34-year-old striker has stated his ambition to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup and has hinted at possible retirement by year-end.

Hong Duy (via Daily Mail)