Neymar hit out at Brazilian players who are backing Argentina to win the Copa America final in Maracana on Saturday as they back Lionel Messi.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the nation and last-minute changes, Brazil's supporters have lost interest in this year's tournament after CONMEBOL announced Argentina and Colombia hosted the Copa and now staged the event. will not.
Brazilian SportTV journalist Fabiola Andrade is among fans who have come out publicly to support Argentina in the final.
Andrade explained his controversial decision on Instagram and wrote: "Before stoning me in a public square, let me explain: I like Brazilian, Brazilian football ... I have many Argentine friends. But I for Argentina Not going to root because of him in the Copa America final, no. I'm happy because I love #football and @leomessi. This guy needs to win a title with his country shirt on! For justice!"
The 34-year-old Messi is the leading scorer in the competition with four goals and five more. The forward is trying to win his first major international competition for Argentina, failing in four attempts.
"What I want most is to win the title with the national team," Messi said after Argentina beat Colombia in the semi-final penalty shootout. "We are more eager than ever to win the Copa."
After Copa holders Brazil scored a 1–0 win over Peru in the semi-finals, Neymar said he wanted to face Argentina in the final and play against Messi, a former Barcelona teammate and friend.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward, who missed Brazil's 2019 Copa win on home soil due to injury, is puzzled that some compatriots would even consider backing eternal rivals Argentina.
Neymar wrote on Instagram: "I'm a 'Brazilian', with a lot of pride and a lot of love. My dream was always to be in the Brazilian team and listen to the fans sing. I never attacked nor would I ever attack Brazil if They are to play for something, be it any sport, a model [beauty] contest, the Oscars ......... I'm a Brazilian, and who is a Brazilian and does it differently?"
Neymar then added: "Okay, I'll respect [that] but go to ---," using one word to end the sentence.
Brazil defender Marquinhos has also urged fans to show more support ahead of the final.
"It's difficult [the situation], because we see so many Brazilians, so many people in the press who don't support the Brazilian team, who have no joy and pride in seeing the team, root for us," said the PSG player. he said.
“Fans, journalists, Brazilian people, no matter how difficult we are living in the moment, can send positive energy, a good energy, because the national team is a source of pride for the fans of Brazil.
"On our part, we've tried to represent the team and the fans in the best possible way by giving everything on the pitch and that's what we're doing in the Copa America."
Brazil are aiming for their sixth Copa title since 1997 while Argentina have not won the title since 1993.
In a tournament that was played with no fans because of the pandemic, Rio de Janeiro officials announced on Friday it would allow limited attendance at finals with 6,500 spectators, or 10% of the famed stadium's capacity, individually. will allow viewing.