Neymar sent a message of support to Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who revealed he suffered racist abuse online after Brazil’s defeat to Argentina.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The forward got involved in a verbal altercation with Lionel Messi during their slender 1-0 defeat to Argentina in the 2026 World Qualifying fixture at Maracana on Tuesday. The Brazilian was reported to have accused Argentina of “acting like cowards”, to which Messi responded by saying: “We are the world champions, how are we cowards? Watch your mouth.”
After the match, several Argentine fans attacked him racially on social media which prompted the forward to write: “Racists are always active. My social networks have been invaded with insults and all kinds of nonsense. If we don’t do what they want, if we don’t behave as they think we should, if we wear something that bothers them, if we don’t lower our heads when we are attacked, if we occupy spaces that they think is theirs, racists take action with all this criminal behaviour. But it’s their bad luck, we will not stop!”
WHAT NEYMAR SAID
Neymar, who is currently nursing a serious knee injury, stood by his compatriot and wrote on Instagram: “Teu brilho incomoda Nao pare nunca! (Your shine bothers them; don’t ever stop)”.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
In the aftermath of the verbal row, Rodrygo’s father hit out at Messi and Rodrigo De Paul while defending his son. He shared two pictures of Messi – one in a heated argument with Rodrygo and another one where the Argentine is seen clutching the neck of a Uruguayan player in a past encounter. Along with the pictures, he wrote: “Is anyone surprised. The little saint who never causes trouble with anyone.”
WHAT NEXT FOR RODRYGO?
After a disappointing international break with Brazil, Rodrygo has returned to Spain to join his Real Madrid teammates. However, his participation against Cadiz in La Liga remains uncertain as he has complained of a sore knee after he ended the Argentina game in some pain.