FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has recently offered his support to teammate Neymar Jr. after the Brazilian national team player was handed a four-match ban at the Copa America 2015.

Reporters interviewed the Argentinian player after their victory over Jamaica regarding Neymar's suspension for the remainder of the Copa America.

Messi expressed his sadness that the Brazilian will be unable to play with his teammates for the rest of their matches in the competition.

"All I can say is that Neymar is my friend and that I would have liked him to have played until the end of the tournament," Messi told The Mirror.

However, the striker, who got his 100th cap in their match against Jamaica, refused to give his opinion on the penalty meted to his FC Barcelona teammate.

"It's a shame the tournament has been deprived of a player of that quality, but I don't want to say whether the punishment was right or wrong," added the 27-year-old player.

CONMEBOL suspended Neymar for the rest of Brazil's matches in the Copa America. He was penalized after he was given a red card and sent off during the final whistle of his team's match against Colombia last Friday.

The Brazilian was seen aiming to head-butt defender Jeison Murillo as his team lost to Colombia with a 1-0 score in fulltime. The attempt prompted other players to come to Murillo's rescue that became a full-blown brawl, reported AFP.

Colombia's striker Carlos Bacca retaliated and pushed Neymar, which also resulted in him getting a red card.

The ban would prevent the captain of the Brazil team from playing in the finals if his team qualifies.

FC Barcelona center back Javier Mascherano also offered support to his suspended teammate. He believes that while Brazil still has a chance at the Copa America, the loss of Neymar will have a huge effect on the team's chances.

"Neymar was kicked 20 times, yet he was shown a yellow card for one handball. These type of talented players aren't allowed to play," said Mascherano to ESPN. "The tackles are getting worse in the tournament. It depends on what the referees and organizations want to do about it."

He added that players in South America must be protected because the rough play is keeping talented soccer players from excelling in the tournament.

Neymar was also fined $10,000 on top of the four-match suspension.