Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar admits he questioned whether he was actually a diver following fierce criticism of his behaviour at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The 27-year-old came in for heavy criticism from pundits and spectators as he went down easily under challenges, in the eyes of many.
He looked the player many expected him to be for moments of the tournament but made more headlines for his theatrics off the ball.
Currently back home in Brazil as he works his way back to fitness, Neymar reflected on last summer's tournament and reveals he questioned himself and whether the critics were right to label him as a diver.
'I started to see all of my pieces of play in the World Cup and I thought "could it be that I really am diving?",' the Brazilian star said in an interview with Globo.
'I think there was an exaggerated blame placed on me. But I knew to expect that, as it's always been like this over the course of my career, no?
'I know that when Brazil loses, most of the weight will fall on my back.'
Brazil went into the tournament as one of the favourites but were beaten by a star-studded Belgium side at the quarter-final stage.
The blame largely landed at the feet of Neymar with Brazilian media questioning his inability to haul the side to the final.
While Neymar has continued to post updates from his stint in Brazil, working his way back to fitness, he will only be able to watch from the stands when PSG welcome Manchester United to Paris on Wednesday.
Manager Thomas Tuchel is expecting his £198million man back in the French capital to watch the Champions League last-16 encounter with PSG 2-0 up after an impressive first leg at Old Trafford.
Despite the successes of team-mate Kylian Mbappe, Neymar continues to catch the eye of Real Madrid, but he remained coy on any links when quizzed.
'If I want to play for Madrid? They are one of the biggest clubs in the world,' he told Globo TV.
'Any player linked with Real Madrid would feel attracted to play there. For the love of God, I am not speaking about playing for Madrid, calm down.
'I feel happy in Paris, I am very well here... but, in the future, nobody knows.
'It is obvious that Real Madrid are a great team, one of the best in the world, I have great respect for them but, today, I see myself in Paris.'
foedklsuz
1
Still my baller.
Yeskmnoz
1
not to worry NEYMAR.. everyone takes a dive once in a while.. your still my favorite player
didadinors
0
@lawrence n some of these headline captions can be misleading.
12UnitedGuyReborn
1
u r someone who doesn't watch his matches and criticize. the topic of news was after 2018 world cup
no need to attack it was just for fun i even like him a lot more than most of united current crop of players wasn't trying to talk down on him we all know what he can do and his level
xiring11
0
Ney! the question isn't of you dived or not but the question is; was there any style of diving that you didn't do in World Cup ?? I am sure you got it all covered [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
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u r someone who doesn't watch his matches and criticize. the topic of news was after 2018 world cup
zeubkprstz
4
keep bettering yourself on the field Neymar
farmahi
7
Best team
FaithEvans
4
I'm sure he answered in the affirmative for that!
12UnitedGuyReborn
6
Ney! the question isn't of you dived or not but the question is; was there any style of diving that you didn't do in World Cup ?? I am sure you got it all covered [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
12UnitedGuyReborn
2
There is nothing to question Ney!, you ate a very talented and gifted young football player and an actor at the same time still wondering how Salah won Oscar best actor (in football category) over you
febabnruyz
5
so many people always tried to hurt neymar because people will say he is diving And I don't understand. since he is a star people are jealous
Dule
2
blankie
9
Neymar remember to always shut your haters up..😊..💕
Kucntuy
3
An actor...mr diver
deebashbhandari
5
Nowadays diving has became a fashion for Neymar...😂😂😂 He does it daily in houses too..😂😂
ficcdkorsu
3
Don't question it, you are a diver. At least if you realized it you won't repeat it again.
Chayan7Gupta
10
AtletiFan-NY
3
Seriously this guy got enough quality to be among the top 5 in the game but there are some useless things he does that takes away the respect. Admit it that he dived way too much in WC last year. Then, his problem with Cavani for penalties was stupid. A player of his quality can easily get goals and he does not need to take every penalty to take that number higher. He should follow Messi who got 10/10 quality in games and at the same time 10/10 for the way he acts at the pitch ( humble, no unnecessary acting to get set pieces, never looked greedy for goals).
Buyabimnpz
4
of course 😊 he was a swimmer and diver in Brazil
jesusbaby
4
Neymar is one of the talented players but he is not living up to expectation.
Uncle_Dimeji
1
I’m a big fan still but this guy is a BIG JOKE. He still thinks he doesn’t dive. 🤯🤬🤦🏻♂️ wake up Neymar please and stop defending rubbish. He might just end up like Robinho
sayantanpatra
7
You are a great player..... though you acted nicely.....
MkD30
2
Yea Yea of course you a diver, maybe you should join the Olympic diving team, you stand a chance of winning a gold medal
sayantanpatra
6
No Neymar Jr.... you are an Actor... 😂😂😂
che8
3
OMG!!!! Neymar are you for real
Richard03
1
NEYMAR is still a good and a future player, I understood his diving during the WC because he was a top player and also been injured and out for several months without playing due to injury so, he was trying to avoid extra damage to his leg knowing he got well not too long before the WC. After all he had many shorts on target more than the so called strikers whom even won the cup. He was very dangerous no matter what but he wasn’t lucky enough and it’s really sad.
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True talk brov
Richard03
3
No matter what whether he dives or jumps I am still a neymar fan #respect
Mosanya
34
NEYMAR is still a good and a future player, I understood his diving during the WC because he was a top player and also been injured and out for several months without playing due to injury so, he was trying to avoid extra damage to his leg knowing he got well not too long before the WC. After all he had many shorts on target more than the so called strikers whom even won the cup. He was very dangerous no matter what but he wasn’t lucky enough and it’s really sad.
Sajjad_69
7
people saw his acting 😪😪😪😪 sometime can't Understand his pain 😭😭
Sajjad_69
4
Practice more and more than future will not face troll 😘
TeamMessi10
4
You Were !!