Felipe Melo was called a ‘monkey’ by an opponent during a game. (Brazil Photo Press/LatinContent/Getty Images)

Felipe Melo has spectacularly hit back after he was racially abused by an opponent on Wednesday evening.

The former Juventus and Inter midfielder claims he was called a ‘monkey’ by Penarol midfielder Gaston Rodriguez during Palmeiras’ 3-2 victory in their Copa Libertadores on Wednesday evening.

‘The guy who made their goal (Gaston Rodriguez) was calling me a monkey for a long time, monkey here, monkey there, I think the television can catch him calling me a monkey,’ said Melo.

‘I think he had some problem, his wife must have cheated on him with a big black man, or something like that.’


Melo has hit back after being targeted by racist abuse. (Brazil Photo Press/LatinContent/Getty Images)



Melo, who has been capped 22 times by Brazil, also confirmed after the game that Rodriguez apologised to him for the abuse.

‘It’s a game thing, we have to forgive everything, it’s forgivable, the important thing is to recognise the mistake of heart,’ said the 33-year-old.

‘I think there’s a self-criticism, he saw that he was wrong, he apologized, what else do I have to do?’

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