Quick Read
- A former personal chef is suing Neymar over alleged 16-hour shifts at his Rio de Janeiro mansion.
- The chef claims she cooked for up to 150 people and was denied legally mandated lunch breaks.
- She reportedly suffered back problems and hip inflammation due to carrying heavy items and prolonged standing.
- The lawsuit seeks £37,544 in compensation for unpaid overtime, medical expenses, and damages.
- Neymar has declined to comment on the allegations.
RIO DE JANEIRO (Azat TV) – Brazilian football star Neymar is facing a lawsuit from a former personal chef who alleges she was subjected to arduous working conditions, including 16-hour shifts, at his lavish Rio de Janeiro estate, leading to lasting physical injuries. The unnamed chef is seeking approximately £37,544 (about R$262,000 or €43,000) in total compensation, covering unpaid overtime, medical expenses, and damages for denied rest periods, according to court documents cited by Brazilian outlet Metropoles and reported by GOAL.
The lawsuit, filed in Brazil’s labor courts, claims the chef was employed at Neymar’s main residence in Mangaratiba, known as Casa Hotel Portobello, from July 2025 to February 2026. Her original contract stipulated a work schedule of 7 AM to 5 PM from Monday to Thursday, and 7 AM to 4 PM on Fridays. However, she alleges these terms were routinely ignored, and she frequently worked until 11 PM or midnight, often including weekends, to prepare meals for Neymar and an entourage that sometimes numbered up to 150 friends and associates.
Allegations of Excessive Workload and Neglected Breaks
The core of the chef’s complaint revolves around the extreme demands of the role. She claimed that the extensive guest list, sometimes reaching 150 people, necessitated continuous cooking and service far beyond her contracted hours. Crucially, she was reportedly denied her legally mandated lunch breaks, despite being required to clock in for them while remaining actively engaged in her duties. GOAL quoted her legal team stating, "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."
Beyond the long hours, the chef described a physically taxing environment. Her duties allegedly included carrying heavy items such as 10-kilogram portions of meat, loading and unloading numerous heavy supermarket bags, and standing for prolonged periods without adequate rest. These strenuous activities, she claims, directly led to the development of severe back problems and hip inflammation, which required medical attention and form a central part of her legal argument.
Compensation Sought for Injuries and Unpaid Labor
The former chef’s claim for £37,544 aims to cover a range of grievances. This includes severance pay, fines, compensation for missed breaks, and moral damages, in addition to the medical expenses incurred due to her alleged injuries. The lawsuit names both Neymar and the third-party company that originally hired her as defendants, holding them jointly responsible for the alleged violations of labor law.
Neymar, who is currently focused on securing a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup, has declined to comment on the allegations when approached by local media, according to reports from The Sun and Daily Mail. The footballer owns multiple luxury properties in Mangaratiba, with the specific mansion in question valued at approximately £4 million, featuring extensive amenities including a wing with 10 guest suites, underscoring the scale of hospitality reportedly managed by the chef.
Neymar’s Legal History and Current Stance
This is not the first time Neymar has faced legal scrutiny regarding his properties or personal conduct. Previously, he was involved in a dispute over the construction of an artificial lake at another of his Mangaratiba homes, which led to environmental fines, although he was later cleared in that specific case. In the current lawsuit, his representatives have maintained a policy of silence regarding the chef’s allegations, a common approach in high-profile legal matters.
The ongoing lawsuit highlights significant questions regarding labor practices within the households of high-net-worth individuals, especially concerning contract adherence and employee welfare, as it draws attention to the potential vulnerabilities of domestic staff to excessive demands.