BTS’s South αмєяι¢αn tour has been attracting widespread attention from au∂ιєnces around the world, and football fans are no exception. During their concert in Argentina, BTS took the stage wearing Argentina national team jerseys bearing Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10, even recreating Messi’s signature celebration during the show. The moment quickly became a hot topic of discussion.

After leaving Argentina for another football powerhouse in South αмєяι¢α, вяαzιℓ, BTS once again found themselves at the center of football fans’ conversations. This time, however, the attention took a negative turn. The controversy began when Corinthians legend Craque Neto υиєχρє¢тє∂ly launched into criticism of BTS without any apparent reason.

вяαzιℓian media outlet TMC reported on October 30 that former вяαzιℓian football star Craque Neto made remarks targeting BTS while appearing on the football debate show Os Donos da Bola. Neto criticized the group, blaming their concert for causing traffic congestion in downtown São Paulo.

He did not stop there, unleashing a barrage of baseless insults against BTS. In a series of irresponsible remarks, Neto said, "These guys can't sing at all. Are they making a fool out of вяαzιℓians? And honestly, all their dances look identical. What song do these guys actually even sing live?"

Unsurprisingly, the unwarranted criticism quickly reached ARMY, widely regarded as one of the world’s most powerful fandoms. Fans reacted furiously, pointing out that traffic congestion in São Paulo was an issue that should be addressed with local authorities or event organizers, not used as an excuse to launch personal attacks against BTS members. Many social media users openly condemned Neto’s remarks as xenophobic.

The backlash extended beyond social media criticism, with some ARMYs submitting a petition directly to Corinthians. They launched a signature campaign calling for the removal of Neto’s bust from the club’s home stadium. Corinthians has yet to issue an official statement regarding the request.

Neto was once a legendary attacking midfielder for Corinthians, having scored 120 goals in 227 appearances for the club. He helped lead Corinthians to the вяαzιℓian Série A title in 1990. His contributions earned him a place in the club’s official Hall of Fame. As a testament to his status as one of the club’s greatest figures, a bust of Neto was also installed at the stadium.

At the international level, Neto made 15 appearances for the вяαzιℓian national team, scoring five goals. He also has a connection to South кσяєα, having visited the country as part of вяαzιℓ’s Olympic football team during the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. Alongside celebrated players such as Romário and Bebeto, Neto’s вяαzιℓ side reached the final but ultimately ℓσѕт to the Soviet Union, settling for the silver medal.

Since retiring from active play, he has been working as a football broadcaster and is notorious for being a "harsh critic." He didn't just vent his frustration at BTS; he also had conflicts with вяαzιℓ's top superstar, Neymar. Neto repeatedly picked on Neymar's private life, saying he should focus on self-discipline, and following the failure at the 2026 World Cup, Neto criticized Neymar by claiming he only scored against weak teams in the national team and proved nothing. Neymar did not stay silent either, firing back sarcastically by calling Neto "the biggest blabbermouth on вяαzιℓian TV."

Given Neto’s history of provocative comments, local fans may not be surprised that he has dragged BTS into another unnecessary controversy. That does not mean, however, that they are willing to let him take shots at K-pop superstars without facing a strong response this time. Fans’ furious reactions included: 

- So you're telling me that in the year 2026, it's allowed to be xenophobic and make prejudiced comments live on air for absolutely NO reason at all? All those years in your career just to spit out this kind of disgusting filth at 7 people who did nothing to you is truly a choice, Craque Neto

- Craque Neto was extremely irresponsible for personally attacking the members of BTS over the traffic in São Paulo. The boys are not responsible for the city’s urban mobility. We also demand a statement from the team at @OSDONOSDABOLA. It is unacceptable for personal attacks against artists to be normalized by someone who holds such a visible platform on television

- I can't take it, Craque Neto really talked trash about BTS and now he's about to go through absolute hell. He messed with the worst fandom to mess with

- This man is an embarrαѕѕment, I've never seen him say anything worthwhile on that show of his. On top of just screaming all the time, he's nothing more than an idiot

- So satisfying to see the BTS fandom about to pull off what Corinthians supporters failed to do. Cancel him, report his accounts, and get this fake legend wiped out from the media

- Wasting time? Absolutely not. Accountability doesn't have a expiration date, and he's not getting a free pαѕѕ to spread xenophobia just because he's used to getting sued

- Just because the football world tolerated his trash behavior doesn't mean we will. Racism and xenophobia are NOT 'just commentary.' We are taking him down

- Getting sued before isn't a badge of honor, it just proves he's a repeat offender who needs to be off the air completely. We won't stop until he faces consequences