The Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil forward has faced criticism for going to ground too easily, but he claims to be the subject of rough treatment
Neymar has refuted accusations of going to ground too easily, with the Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil forward suggesting that his dribbling ability makes him a target for rough treatment.
The 26-year-old saw his club campaign in 2017-18 ended by a broken metatarsal picked up while challenging for the ball and faced a race against time to rebuild his fitness for World Cup duty.
He was able to lead Brazil at Russia 2018, but faced criticism throughout the tournament for supposed theatrics which saw him spend as much time on the turf as he did on his feet.
Neymar has learned to shrug off the haters – going as far as to mock himself with his own version of the ‘Neymar Challenge’ on social media where fans film themselves mimicking his antics – but he also believes that many onlookers do not appreciate what he has to put up with.
Speaking at a charity auction for his foundation, the Neymar Institute, the PSG superstar said: “I saw [the jokes] but I took them with humour.
“Even yesterday I posted on Instagram a joke with the children about it.
“My football is to dribble, to face the opponent. I can’t stand in front of the opponent and say, ‘My dear, excuse me, I want to score a goal’.
“I can’t do that, I have to dribble past him, I have to try to do something and he will not allow me to go past and he will try to foul me.
“A lot of times I’m faster and lighter than other players and they tackle me, and the referee is there for that.
“Do you think I want to suffer tackles all the time? No, it’s painful, it hurts. After the games I stay back four or five hours putting on ice.
“It’s complicated but if you haven’t experienced that you will never understand.”
Neymar has received support from a number of team-mates and former Brazil stars since enduring a difficult World Cup campaign, with PSG colleague Dani Alves among the latest to have hit back at the detractors.
He said: “Everything Neymar does turns into news. If he gets emotional, they criticise. If he colours his hair, they criticise.
“I want to see these people in Neymar’s place.
“Criticising is a weapon of the weak.
“I believe that we football players always try to do the best for the group and for our teammates.
“There are many people who are ready to judge us, but it isn’t our focus. If you know Neymar, you know how much quality he has and how special he is.
“I believe we have to take care of players like that because they illuminate football. It’s players like him that make football great.
“Criticising Neymar and players of that level is easy, what’s difficult to do is what they do.”
sunnysayus
116
This is the truth that many Neymar haters don't want to accept. He just came back from 3months injury and he has to be scared of getting hurt again.He is always the top of the opponents' plan and the tackles were heavy and hurting.So,it is in the psychological sense to reason that he will imagin getting tackled hard by an opposition player beside him which come true most times.But,the officiating against south American giants were not that fair and many of the fouls were not whistled and fans and analysts call it drama.Neymar was tacked 10 times in the first match against Switzerland which was one one of the highest numbers in world cup history. The tournament just showed that teams should utilize their chances when the showpiece is staged in their home soil.It was the turn of Europe, it will be the turn of another continent next time.That makes it interesting.
zibuko
66
Duh? We don't think you want to suffer tackles, just play football cause we've had enough of your theatrics!
BAPPSPAULO
61
Neymar shouldn't be criticized he was not fully fit bit still managed to play for his country he deserves some accolades
Leieche02
58
All of you all who are writing hate comments are really low. All those things you're saying won t benefit you in any way or anyhow. Hating won't get you anywhere. At the end if the day Neymar still continues to play football and he's still making money while you're sitting in your houses or whatever wondering what to do in your lives But stay safe peace
L10NELMESSI
38
Neymar must proove his worth by winning 1.Champions league or 2. Ballon d'or....To one of the be great If he doesn't win either of the two he should atleast stop overreacting to tackle's now people are ready to act on his such incidents.. & Not to Concentrate on 1. Salon d'or 2. Fallon d'or