'We are really desperate': Brazilian soccer players trapped in Ukraine appeal for help

Brazilian soccer players at Ukraine's two biggest clubs issued an appeal to the Brazilian government on Thursday, saying they are trapped by the Russian military attack on Ukraine.

A group of players from Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv posted a video together with their families from a hotel where they called for support from the Brazilian authorities, joined by Uruguayan player Carlos de Pena of Dynamo. They said the borders were closed and fuel supplies had run out.

"We are really desperate. We are going through chaos," Shakhtar defender Marlon Santos wrote on Instagram. "We have the support from our club. But the desperation is agonizing. We wait for the support from our country. We speak in the name of all the Brazilians in Ukraine."

Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar reposted the video on his Instagram account, and added he is praying for his countrymen in Ukraine. Top Brazilian clubs have also posted the video and pressured authorities to take action.

“There are closed border, closed airspace, there‘s no way for us to leave. We ask for help from Brazilian government”. Brazilian players in Ukraine sending their message.<a href="https://twitter.com/mottamarcos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mottamarcos</a>