Neymar apologises for cursing at Brazil detractors on Instagram

Neymar apologised on Tuesday for aiming profanity at critical Brazil fans following the team's early exit from the Copa America Centenario.

Brazil lost 1-0 to Peru on Sunday after a controversial goal, and Neymar later defended his team from detractors in an Instagram post using explicit language.

But the Barcelona star backtracked on Tuesday, saying in a another that he had written his initial reaction in haste.

"My five minutes in Brazil were enough to realize that my post/outflow on Instagram had a negative repercussion, huge around here," he wrote. "What I've heard from people who met me at the airport was that I had "exceeded" myself...I admit...Yes, I overreacted.

"Apologies to all of those who felt offended, it's the least I can do. I wrote all of that after the end of the match against Peru and got really upset with the elimination and angry with the words I had heard and read towards those athletes. After all, I'm part of that group.

"There is a small portion that also overreacts with the microphone or a pen in hands, but like I said, a small portion. I aimed at a dozen and hit thousands, millions."

Neymar then cited an ESPN Brasil column that he said made him realize his error.

Meus cinco minutos no Brasil foram suficientes para perceber que meu post/desabafo no Instagram tinha tido uma repercussão negativa, gigante por aqui. O que ouvi das pessoas que me receberam no aeroporto foi que eu "me excedi"... Admito... Sim, eu "me excedi. PEDIR DESCULPAS a todos os que se sentiram ofendidos é o mínimo que posso fazer. Escrevi aquilo após o resultado do Brasil contra o Peru, e fiquei muito chateado com a eliminação e revoltado com as palavras que ouvi e li dirigidas aqueles atletas, afinal sou parte daquele grupo. Há uma minoria que também "se excede" com o microfone ou a caneta em mãos, mas como disse, é uma minoria. Mirei em meia dúzia e acertei em milhares, milhões... Acabei de ler um artigo do Renato Rodrigues, da ESPN, com o título 'Neymar expôs o "nós contra eles", que não é bom para ninguém no futebol brasileiro'. Concordo com ele. Essa discussão não é boa para o nosso futebol e sem querer caí na armadilha. A camisa amarela é muito vitoriosa e para voltarmos a vencer precisamos estar juntos e principalmente nos respeitarmos e conhecermos as dificuldades uns dos outros. E no meu post faltei com o respeito com todos, jornalistas e fãs. Agora é pedir desculpas e seguir em frente, aproveitar o restante de minhas férias e daqui a pouco começar a preparação para as Olimpíadas. É o nosso objetivo agora.

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Jun 14, 2016 at 11:24am PDT

"I've just read an article by Renato Rodrigues, from ESPN, entitled 'Neymar exposed the 'us against them,' which is not good for anybody in Brazilian football.'

"I agree with him. This argument is not good for anybody in our sport and without intention I fell into the trap.

"The yellow jersey is too glorious and to get back to winning we need to be together and above all respect each other and know the difficulties of one another. And on my post I lacked respect with everybody, journalists and fans.

"Now it's time to say sorry and move on, enjoy the rest of my vacation and start preparing for the Olympics. It is our goal now."

Neymar will join up with the team later this summer when the host the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but he will have a new coach, as Brazil sacked manager Dunga on Tuesday.