Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario has written a long open letter to Selecao No. 10 Neymar, whose ankle injury has left his 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in doubt.
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During the South American nation's opening match of the tournament against Serbia, a 2-0 victory, the 30-year-old was forced to come off after picking up a knock on his ankle.
Neymar was later ruled out of the rest of the group stage, with concerns growing that the Paris Saint-Germain man might battle to feature again at all for his country in Qatar.
Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo has subsequently penned a long and emotional letter to his compatriot via social media, issuing a message of support and love for Brazil's second all-time leading goalscorer.
"I couldn't start this open letter any other way: You are awesome, Neymar! A giant!" he wrote, according to the Daily Mirror.
"I am sure that most Brazilians, like me, admire and love you. Your talent, by the way, has taken you so far, so high, that there is love and admiration for you in every corner of the world.
"And it is also for this reason, for having reached where you have, for the success you have achieved, that you have to deal with so much envy and evil.
"Something like celebrating the injury of a star like you, with a story like yours. How far have we fallen? What world is this? What message are we passing on to our young people?
"There will always be people rooting against you, but it is sad to see society on a path of trivialising intolerance, of normalising hate speech.
"It is against this verbal violence with destructive power that I write to you today: Come back stronger! Smarter! Hungry for goals! The good you do on and off the field is much greater than envy towards you.
"Don't forget for a second the journey that made you a world football idol. Brazil loves you! The real fans – the ones who are in favour – need your goals, dribbles, boldness and joy!
"Celebrate the love that comes from most of your country. You will bounce back, Neymar! And may all the hate turn into fuel.
"To everyone who has read this far, I ask that you send positive energy to the national team, to Neymar, to Danilo and all the players."
There appears to be no timeline given for Neymar's return, although his father did recently say that his son would play in the final of the World Cup, an update that might not have inspired those Brazilians desperate to see the star back in action sooner.
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