Samara: Brazil superstar Neymar brushed off his critics after firing the five-time World Cup winners to victory Monday over Mexico. Neymar scored one goal and created another as his increasingly impressive Brazil side overpowered the Mexicans 2-0 in sweltering conditions.
But Neymar’s sparkling performance was tarnished by yet another example of his tendency to overreact to seemingly innocuous challenges.
The latest chapter in a bulging catalogue of histrionic behaviour came in the second half, when Mexico midfielder Miguel Layun appeared to step on his ankle as he lay prone. Neymar writhed around and convulsed as if he had received an electric shock.
“I think it’s a shame for football,” Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio lamented afterwards and pointed out that Neymar’s antics had wasted precious time.
“We wasted a lot of time because of one single player… we lost our style in the second half, because of the referee. This is a very bad example for the world and the world of football,” added the Mexican coach.
As social media platforms exploded with fans angrily accusing Neymar of cheating, former England striker Alan Shearer described the Paris Saint-Germain star as ‘absolutely pathetic’.
“There is no doubting the ability of him. He is a magnificent player,” said Shearer. “But it really is pathetic when he is rolling around as if he is in agony.”
Yet Neymar shrugged off the criticism after his man of the match performance, claiming it was motivated to ‘undermine me’.
“I don’t care much for criticism, or praise, because this can influence your attitude,” he pointed out. “In the last two matches I didn’t talk to the press because I don’t want to. I just have to play, help my teammates, help my team, Brazil. Nothing else matters.”
Brazil defender Thiago Silva meanwhile heaped praise on Neymar, who only returned to action shortly before the tournament following an injury lay-off of more than three months.
“It’s magnificent how he’s playing, especially after three-and-a-half months on the sidelines,” Silva said. “It’s very difficult to come back the way he’s done.”
However, with only two goals, the Brazilian is well behind England star Harry Kane’s tournament-leading tally of five goals.
But Silva is confident Neymar will emulate the recent feats of his other Paris Saint-Germain clubmates Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe who scored two goals each in their pre-quarterfinals against Portugal and Argentina.
“I am confident, Neymar will big time among goals in the matches to come,” said Silva. “You just can’t underestimate a player of his calibre.”
Real Madrid quash report
Madrid: Real Madrid have denied a report that they have offered to buy Neymar from PSG for a world record transfer of 310 million euros (USD 360 million). Real said the report by Spanish public broadcaster ‘TVE’ is ‘absolutely untrue’. The club said they have ‘made no offer of any kind to PSG or the player’. The statement was published hours after the Brazil-Mexico match, Monday.
