Thiago Neves pleads for patience from Fluminense supporters

The 27-year-old has yet to reproduce the form which prompted his move to Laranjeiras for the third time in his career in January, and as a result, a section of the Tricolor faithful have run out of patience with the midfielder.

However, Thiago Neves revealed to reporters on Monday that he has recently been playing with a knee injury which could require surgery.

''I arrived at Fluminense just after pre-season with a thigh injury, and now I’m feeling pain in my knee,'' he said. ''I wish the fans had a little more patience with me.''

''Some days I feel nothing, but in others I feel a lot of pain. It's strange.

''I will wait until after the Copa Libertadores, then we will sit down and see if my injury requires surgery.''