by Brazil legend Ronaldo has sent a moving open letter to his compatriot Neymar urging him ‘to turn the hate’ he receives ‘into fuel’.
Ronaldo, who won the World Cup twice with Brazil, said he was shocked by the level of “envy and hurt” the Brazilian star had to deal with.
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Neymar is targeting his first senior trophy with his country but is unlikely to return before the World Cup round of 16 after sustaining a right ankle injury in their 2-0 win over Serbia.
Ronaldo has now jumped to the defense of the Paris Saint-Germain star after some fans celebrated his injury.
“Your talent, by the way, has taken you so far, so high, that there is love and admiration for you in every corner of the world,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram alongside. a photo of Neymar.
“And that’s also why, for getting to where he is, for the success he’s had, that he has to deal with so much envy and so much pain. In terms of celebrating the injury from a star like you, with a story like yours. Where are we? What is this world? What message are we sending to our young people?
“There will always be people who will root against you, but it’s sad to see society on the path to normalizing intolerance, normalizing hate speech. It is against this destructive verbal violence that I am writing to you today: come back stronger! ! Hungry for goals!
“The good you do on and off the pitch is far greater than the envy towards you. Don’t forget for a second the journey that made you an idol in world football. Brazil loves you! … Don’t exalt the cowards and the envious. Celebrate the love that comes from most of your country. You’ll bounce Neymar back! And let all the hate turn into fuel.”
Neymar, 30, went to the tournament in Qatar in spectacular form. He scored 15 goals and set up 12 more in 19 appearances in all competitions for PSG before the World Cup break.
The former Barcelona star has scored 75 goals in 121 appearances for Brazil and is two goals away from equaling Brazil’s all-time top scorer Pele.
Ronaldo isn’t the only Brazilian star to come to Neymar’s defence. His teammates Casemiro and Raphinha have also publicly supported him.
“The Argentinian fans are enjoying themselves [Lionel] Messi like a god. Portugal fans treat Cristiano Ronaldo like a king. Brazilian fans encourage Neymar to break his leg,” Raphinha said on Instagram.
“How sad, the biggest mistake in Neymar’s career is being born in Brazil, this country does not deserve his talent and his football.”
Casemiro said he was appalled by the abuse Neymar received on social media.
“When you wish someone ill, no matter who they are, that’s very serious,” Casemiro said. “I’m very sad, especially for a person who helps so many people, who has a big heart. Neymar doesn’t deserve this… Neymar is a great player, the star of the team, who makes the difference.”
