Neymar said it was difficult to control his feelings when he was insulted and commented on a heated exchange he had with a fan after his late goal was excluded and his club Santos suffered a 2-1 defeat that left them in the Brazilian Serie A relegation zone.
The 33-year-old Brazilian, who had a frustrating time since he returned to his boy's club this year, went to the stands at the end of Wednesday's game with Internacional to talk to a fan who seemed to protest with him.
Videos showed Neymar agitated and gestures and then raised a thumb while a teammate sends him away.
“In the heat of the moment it is difficult to control your feelings when you are unfairly insulted,” Neymar posted on Instagram late on Thursday.
“I will never argue with fans when they criticize me on the field because they have the right to say if I have played badly or not, and they have the right to fascinate me!
“What they can't do is insult me as they insulted me …”
Santos had insisted on a comeback of two goals with Alvaro Martin Barreal scored a minute in extra time. Three minutes later, Neymar thought he had scored with a left shot and celebrated for cheering home fans, but angry about the Vila Belmiro Stadium when the referee ruled that the ball was not exceeded the line.
Santos are 17th in the 20-Club League, where the bottom four were relegated to series B at the end of the season.
The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain player has had a scorching time since the return: offside with injury, sent for a handball and suffering Covid-19.
“On the day that the fans think that I can no longer help or that I have damage the club in any way, I will be the first to pack and leave my things!” Neymar added his comments on Thursday.
“Santos is one of my greatest passions, and as long as I have the power, I will do my best for this club. I will run, fight, scream and even argue to get Santos where it deserves to be.”