Following the Brazil national team's controversial early exit from the Copa America Centenario, Neymar took to Instagram to voice his displeasure with they way the team's supporters were criticizing his teammates for their failure.
It was a passionate rant that talked about how fans don't know what it's like to represent the national team and put your heart on the field. It involved some choice language and didn't come across as professional. That post can be seen here.
Apparently the Brazilian fans didn't take to kindly to his words and Neymar has apologized today for his comments.
My five minutes in Brazil were enough to realize that my post / rant on Instagram had had a negative impact, giant here. What I have heard of people who received me at the airport was that I "overdid" ... I admit ... Yes, I "overdid. APOLOGISE to all who were offended is the least I can do. Wrote that after the result of Brazil against Peru, and I was very upset with the elimination and disgusted with the words I heard and read targeted those athletes, after all I am part of that group. There is a minority that also "exceeds" with microphone or pen in hand, but as I said, is a minority. I aimed and hit half a dozen in thousands, millions ... I just read an article by Renato Rodrigues, ESPN, entitled 'Neymar exposed the "us against them", which is not good for anyone in Brazilian football'. I agree with him. This discussion is not good for our football and inadvertently fell into the trap. The yellow jersey is very successful and return to win we need to be together and especially in respecting and know the difficulties each other. And in my post I missed with respect to all journalists and fans. Now is apologizing and move on, enjoy the rest of my vacation and some here begin preparation for the Olympics. It is our goal now.