Neymar: “Racism and intolerance are unacceptable”

Neymar Jr., who on Sunday was involved in a controversial confrontation with Spanish defender Álvaro González, has wanted to express what he feels about what happened. He has done so through a long message on Instagram, in which he condemns racism. He does it after being expelled for slapping the central defender in the last minutes of PSG's defeat against Olympique de Marseille.

During the entire meeting, the spirits between them, that they already knew each other from the League (Álvaro played for Espanyol and Villarreal), they were quite heated. Neymar accused on several occasions during the match racist insults by the Spanish, but the referees did not heed their protests, which upset the Brazilian quite a bit.

For this reason, he wanted to send a message to the whole world. In it, Neymar has expressed that “racism and intolerance are unacceptable“in football. He also claims to be” proud “of being black and asks to put aside the” confrontation “between whites and blacks, which it can be “disastrous for both sides”. The Brazilian accepts his punishment, but hopes that “the offender will also be punished.

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“Yesterday I rebelled. I was punished with a red card because he wanted to hit someone who offended me. I thought I could not leave without doing anything because I realized that the managers were not going to do anything, they did not realize it or ignored it. During I wanted to respond as usual to the game, playing football. The facts show that I did not succeed. I rebelled …

Cursing, assaults, insults are part of our sport. In dispute, you cannot be loving. I partially understand this boy. It is all part of the game. But racism and intolerance are unacceptable.

I'm black, son of black, grandson and great-grandson of black too. I am proud and I do not look different from anyone. Yesterday I wanted those in charge of the match (referees, assistants) to take an impartial position and understand that there is no place for this prejudiced attitude.

Reflecting and seeing everything that happened, I am saddened by the feeling of hatred that we can provoke when in the tension of the moment we break down.

Should I have ignored it? I do not know yet. Today, with a cold mind, I say yes. But at the right time, my colleagues and I asked for help, and we were ignored. That is the case!

Those of us who are involved in entertainment need to reflect. An action leads to a reaction and it got where it went. I accept my punishment because I should have followed the path of fair play. On the other hand, I hope that the offender is also punished.

Racism exists, but we must stop it. No more, enough!

The kid was a jerk. I too acted like a jerk for getting caught up in it… I still have the privilege of holding my head up today, but we all need to reflect on the fact that not all black and white people are in the same condition. The damage of the confrontation can be disastrous for both sides, whether you are black or white. I don't want to and we shouldn't mix subjects. We do not choose the color of the skin. Before God we are all equal.

Now … I was losing in the game yesterday and I lacked wisdom. Being in the center of the situation or ignoring racist facts is not going to help. I know. But pacifying these “anti-racist” movements is our obligation so that the less privileged can receive their defense. We will see each other again and it will be my way, playing football.

Be peaceful! Be peaceful! You know what you said… I know what I did. More love for the world … “