Ahead of his country’s clash with Argentina in the Copa America final on Saturday night, Neymar has called out any Brazilian supporters who may be tempted to root against their own country.
It will be the first time the big rivals have met in the final of the competition since 2007, and while Brazil have hosted the tournament, some home fans are keen to see Lionel Messi win his first major international trophy.
But Neymar has little time for those Brazilians who are switching their allegiance ahead of this weekend’s match at the Maracana.
‘I am Brazilian with a lot of pride and love,’ Neymar wrote on Instagram.
‘My dream was always to be in the Brazil national team and hear the fans singing.
‘I never attacked, nor will attack [Brazil] if they are competing for something, whether that is in sport, a modelling competition, the Oscars.
‘If it’s Brazil I am Brazil, and who is Brazilian and does it differently? It’s fine, I will respect it, but go f*** yourselves.’
Neymar has scored twice in Brazil’s run to the final, in his country’s opening two group matches against Venezuela and Peru.
While he has not scored since, Brazil have still managed to edge past Chile and then Peru in the knockout stages to make it to within a match of defending their title.
His former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi has three Copa America goals to his name this tournament, with a brace against Bolivia followed by another goal against Ecuador in the quarter-final.
The Argentine icon also scored in the penalty shootout in his side’s semi-final win over Colombia, with Emi Martinez the hero as he let just two of the five spot kicks past him.
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