Neymar tells Rivaldo to 'take it easy' after Brazil legend makes controversial 2002 World Cup comment on Instagram

Neymar has hit out at fellow Brazil legend Rivaldo about a controversial comment made about the 2002 World Cup.

In a recent episode of his podcast, Brazil icon Romario spoke with fellow great Neymar about his career and about the history of Brazilian football.

During the episode, Neymar was asked which player who could have replaced Brazil's World Cup-winning teams in 2002, 1994, and 1970.

And Rivaldo, one of Brazil's key players during their era of World Cup dominance, isn't happy.

Despite the fact that Rivaldo was arguably Brazil's standout player druing the 2002 World Cup, Neymar thinks he could have replaced him in the front three alongside Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

However, Rivaldo strongly disagrees, and didn't hold back as he let his opinion on his countryman's opinion known on social media.

"I heard @neymarjr say that at his peak, he could have played in my place in the 2002 World Cup," Rivaldo wrote on Instagram.

"Honestly, I recognise his talent and quality, and I even believe he would have been capable of being on that team, but playing in my place would be another story.

"With all the respect and admiration I have for him, I can say with 100% certainty that this would not have happened. At that time, I was so focused, determined and hungry to win the world title that no one, no matter how good they were at the peak of their career, could have taken my place.

"I say this with a lot of love and respect, but also with the confidence of someone who lived through that moment and knows how much he fought to become world champion."

Rivaldo won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002. (Image: Getty)

But, after reading the response, Neymar decided to double down, pointing out that he saw both Ronaldo and Ronaldinho as irreplaceable, forcing him to pick Rivaldo.

Commenting on Rivaldo's Instagram post, the Al-Hilal winger wrote: "Take it easy my friend... All the Brazilian players who've played in the Cup, 100% dedicated and focused... some achieved the ultimate goal, others unfortunately didn't and it's part of football.

"I've always respected you and I'll never take the credit of who you are for Brazilian football... it was just a choice to enter all 3 and you don't want me to take Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, right?"