The Brazilian government has stepped into the row over Chelsea's pursuit of Santos whiz Neymar.

The sports minister Orlando Silva spoke with Neymar directly last night in an attempt to dissuade him from moving to London.

Orlando Silva told Neymar he was important for Brazilian sport because he is young, is a mirror for boys of his age, and represents the renewal of the national team squad.

To consolidate this image, Neymar needs to stay longer in the country, he was told by Orlando Silva.