Juninho Pernambucano caught up in social media storm Football - Brazil Comments on Vinicius leads to verbal abuse

After the 3-1 home win for Flamengo over close rivals, Botafogo, former Brazil midfielder, Juninho Pernambucano, has been fighting a social media battle with Flamengo supporters, after he questioned Vinicius Junior's goal celebration.

The soon-to-be Real Madrid attacker appeared to celebrate in front of the away fans in a gesture that saw him wiping away tears.

"It's not a professional thing, I would never do that," he said on Brazilian sports channel TV Globo.

"You must have respect for the loser, you don't have to step on his head.

"I don't see this type of attitude by players at Real Madrid, the club where he expects to go."

Such comments unleashed a stream of verbal abuse on Twitter and the former free-kick specialist was forced to defend himself.

He then refused to comment on the Boavista v Flamengo game as planned, and released a statement saying he will be taking legal action.