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Neymar backs Brazil teammates after controversial Copa America exit

Brazil and Barcelona forward Neymar sent a message to his Copa America compatriots after the Selecao were controversially eliminated from the Copa America with a 1-0 Group B loss to Peru.

In the 75th minute, Peru's Raul Ruidiaz appeared to swat a ball crossed into the box past Brazil goalkeeper Alisson and into the goal. Brazil players protested, but after consulting with the fourth official, referee Andres Cunha allowed the goal.

Peru's Andy Polo broke down the right wing and sent the cross into Ruidiaz. TV replays appeared to show him using his hand to push the ball past Brazil goalkeeper Alisson.

Brazil remonstrated furiously with the official but after two minutes deliberation with his assistant referee he allowed the goal to stand.

Neymar told the Copa America players in his message: "No one knows what we have suffered through to be there and defend the Selecao. To wear the national team shirt is an honor and you have all done that with love. Now a whole lot of people are going to start talking s---, they can go to hell. Football is like this. I am Brazilian and I will go to the end with you."

Ninguém sabe o que vocês sofrem pra estar aí e defender a seleção, vestir essa camisa é um orgulho e vocês fazer isso com AMOR.. Agora, vai aparecer um monte de babaca pra falar merda, foda se .. Faz parte, futebol é isso !!! SOU BRASILEIRO E TO FECHADO COM VOCÊS ✌��️����

A photo posted by Nj ���� �� neymarjr (@neymarjr) on

After the match, former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves voiced his displeasure with the referee's decision.

"As a very competitive person, I'm living something unacceptable to me, I don't accept this kind of situation," the 33-year-old said. "We are giving 100 percent, but is not being enough to help the team to leave this delicate moment. We will try to give 200 percent next time."

Brazil goalkeeper Alisson said that referee errors are part of football.

"The error of the referee is part of the game, we are inherent in it," he said after the match. "By the time I saw the play I ran straight to the referee, I complained, Miranda too, all players came to complain. He took five, 10 minutes, and I thought he would stop the play, but he ended up giving the goal."

The loss was a hammer blow to Brazil and despite six minutes of time added on they failed to seriously trouble Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese again and Peru held on for their first victory over Brazil at the Copa America since 1975.

"It's frustrating, all our work in the Copa America thrown out by an error," Alisson said. "But you have to know to take the positives that we had in the competition.

"We played a game to win, that's what makes us sad, we didn't deserve to lose the match today."

Peru's win saw them top the group to set up a quarterfinal meeting with Colombia, while Brazil will go home after only finishing third in the group.

"It is frustrating for us, we worked, we devoted so much to the biggest goal that was to win this Cup, but now have to keep our heads up," the 23-year-old said. "We have to understand what we did right and what we did wrong and improve. We have to have a lot of wisdom at that time."

With a Copa America win no longer a possibility, coach Dunga and Brazil will turn their attention to the Olympics tournament, which will be held in Rio and will see Neymar take the field for the Selecao after skipping the Copa.

Hulk said Brazil would not go into the Olympics thinking about avenging the loss.

"We can't think about revenge. Brazil always enter in a competition to win, the Zenit forward said. "When you lose, it's this pressure. You need to be aware of it, have to take responsibility. Now, we have to try to hold our heads high and know that every day is a new opportunity to do things over again. This is the Brazilian team, the pressure is huge, we have to be aware of it."

Hulk insisted that coach Dunga has the players' support.

"We are players, we came to give our maximum, regardless of who is the coach. We just have to respect and give the maximum, whether Dunga or another coach, we have to come here and honor the jersey," he said. "It's hard, what can be done is to think about what happened. In football these things happen."