Neymar apologises for social media tirade
Barcelona star Neymar has apologised after receiving a backlash for an explicit Instagram post he made after Brazil's Copa America Centenario elimination.
Neymar has apologised for an Instagram post that caused controversy after Brazil's Copa America exit at the hands of Peru.
After his country's 1-0 defeat on Monday (AEST), the Barcelona attacker posted a picture to his 51 million followers.
The caption spoke of his pride to wear the Brazil shirt, and said that, after this disappointment, "a lot of a****** will appear to talk s***".
Ninguém sabe o que vocês sofrem pra estar aí e defender a seleção, vestir essa camisa é um orgulho e vocês fazem isso com AMOR.. Agora, vai aparecer um monte de babaca pra falar merda, foda se .. Faz parte, futebol é isso !!! SOU BRASILEIRO E TO FECHADO COM VOCÊS ✌?️?? A photo posted by Nj ?? ? neymarjr (@neymarjr) on Jun 12, 2016 at 9:39pm PDT
Now, again on Instagram, the 24-year-old has issued an apology for the language he used in his previous message.
"Five minutes in Brazil was enough to realize that my rant on Instagram has had a negative impact," Neymar wrote.
"What I have heard from people who met me at the airport was that I 'overdid' it. I admit: Yes, I overdid it. To apologize to all who were offended is the least I can do.
"I wrote it after the result of Brazil against Peru, and I was very upset with the elimination and disgusted with the words I heard and read aimed at those players - after all, I am part of that group."
The Brazil captain was not in the squad for the tournament as he chose instead to focus on the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. And he acknowledged that competition as he closed his post.
"Now I must apologize and move on, enjoy the rest of my vacation and begin preparation for the Olympics," he added. "That is our goal now."