Neymar’s father says son is hatred in Brazil and rebates criticism of betrayals

Hours before the charity auction organized by Neymar on Tuesday (10), the player’s father, Neymar da Silva Santos, used social networks to defend his son amid the controversies involving his personal life.

In an Instagram post, he shared a text that relativizes criticism of the attacker, focusing on charges of betrayal, and praises his social and sports contributions.

“Is your idol the one who betrays?” Asks the opening image of the carousel published by Neymar Pai, in a direct provocation to the player’s detractors. Slides then list episodes of the athlete’s solidarity, such as the use of his private plane to bring donations to the victims of floods in Rio Grande do Sul and the creation of the Neymar Jr. Institute, a social project that serves vulnerable children and adolescents on the São Paulo coast.

The content also extols the player’s posture as a father, as well as presenting a retrospective of his achievements on the pitch. Among them, the unprecedented Olympic gold medal in men’s soccer, won in 2016, its position as one of the greatest scorers in the history of the Brazilian team and international recognition as one of the main names of sports in the last decade.

In a tone of outburst, the text ends by addressing the turbulent relationship between Neymar and part of public opinion in Brazil. “My idol is hated by his own country, but he still says he loves Brazil and playing soccer in the national team. He just wants to show these ‘Brazilians’ that he is striving to bring to our happiness one day,” says the post.

The publication reverberated on social networks on the same day of the event organized by Neymar for his institute, with the presence of famous and live broadcast. The gesture of the father divided opinions among the fans – some considered legitimate the attempt to humanize the star, while others criticized the tone of victimization.