Neymar was banned for four games by CONMEBOL after the incidents in Brazil’s Copa América group-stage match against Colombia on June 17.
With the match already over, the 23-year-old Seleção captain kicked the ball toward the back of defender Pablo Armero and then looked as if he head butted another Colombian defender, Jeison Murillo. Messi said: “Neymar is a friend and I care about him. I’m sorry about the suspension he was given because I believe he is a very important player for Brazil.”
Neymar was banned for four games by CONMEBOL after the incidents in Brazil’s Copa América group-stage match against Colombia on June 17.
With the match already over, the 23-year-old Seleção captain kicked the ball toward the back of defender Pablo Armero and then looked as if he head butted another Colombian defender, Jeison Murillo. Messi said: “Neymar is a friend and I care about him. I’m sorry about the suspension he was given because I believe he is a very important player for Brazil.”