Neymar sued by former personal chef

Brazilian football star Neymar has been dragged to court by a former personal chef who claims she endured exhausting working conditions while employed at his luxury residence in Rio de Janeiro.

According to reports by football outlet GOAL, which cited Brazilian media platform Metropoles, the woman alleged in court documents that she was responsible for preparing meals not only for the Santos and Brazil forward but also for a large group of his friends and associates, sometimes numbering up to 150 people.

She claimed the scale of the work forced her into extremely long shifts that stretched far beyond the hours outlined in her employment contract. The agreement reportedly required her to work from 7am to 5pm Monday through Thursday and from 7am to 4pm on Fridays.

However, the chef alleged that her duties often continued until 11pm or even midnight, including weekends. She also claimed she was regularly denied her legally required lunch break despite being instructed to clock it in.

“The claimant did not regularly enjoy a lunch break. Throughout the entire employment contract, the plaintiff was required by the defendant to clock in for the lunch break, even though she remained actively working during that period.”

The former employee further alleged that the physical strain of the job caused lasting health problems. According to the lawsuit, repeatedly carrying meat portions weighing around 10kg and lifting heavy grocery bags during extended shifts led to severe back pain and hip inflammation.

She argued that the workload, which often required standing for long hours without proper rest, directly contributed to the medical issues she now suffers.

The chef reportedly earned about £1,065 per month during her time working at the Mangaratiba mansion. She is now demanding £37,544 in compensation to cover unpaid overtime, severance benefits, medical expenses, penalties and damages related to the alleged denial of rest periods.

Neymar has not publicly responded to the allegations. The Brazilian forward is currently aiming to secure a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.