The super talented
Brazilian striker Neymar disappointed a multitude of football fans with his
embarrassing theatrics at the knockout round of 16 game against Mexico. Despite
scoring a goal and assisting in another, which earned Brazil a ticket to the
quarter-finals, the Brazilian striker has come under heavy criticism for
clearly irrelevant play-acting. He was by turns brilliant and ridiculous during
the game in Samara. Neymar rolled around uncontrollably, in a dumbfounding
theatrical display following slight contact from Mexico's Miguel Layun - Layun
trod on Neymar's ankle in the 73rd minute.
Former Denmark keeper
Peter Schmeichel is one of the many who have been appalled by Neymar's behavior
on the pitch throughout this World Cup. He believes FIFA should sanction
Neymar's play-acting accordingly. In his post-match analysis, Schmeichel
congratulated Brazil for their qualification before proceeding with a criticism
of Neymar's behavior. "First of all, congratulations to Brazil. It's nice
to have one of the big names through in the tournament, we've said goodbye to
far too many already. "But my God, Neymar was even given the man of the
match by FIFA, but we need to have FIFA looking at this, the way he behaved in this
game, I can't find any other way [of describing it] than disgraceful," Schmeichel
confessed. He added, “Everyone who loves football, I was looking at Twitter, people
are in uproar about this.”
Neymar hit back
at his critics in his post-match conference (post Brazil vs Mexico). When asked
if claims about him being a diva were unfair, the Brazilian striker said: “Look,
I think it's more of an attempt to undermine me than anything else.” “I
don't care much for criticism, not even from the press because in a way this
can influence athletes. “The last two matches I didn't talk to the press
because there's so many people talking. “I just want to play and I help my
team-mates, I have to help my team and that's what I am here for, nothing
else. “I am here to win and I hope I can improve."
Mexico manager Juan
Carlos Osorio did not criticize Neymar directly but indirectly alluded to
him as he said, “I think we played quite well but unfortunately - and it's
a shame for football - that we wasted a lot of time because of one single
player.” “I think we lost our style in the second half due to the
refereeing, every time he stopped the game. “There was too much stoppage
and my players got more and more tired.”
Neymar has
been urged by football fans and analysts to stop the scandalous shenanigans
which make his games bittersweet. South American football expert Tim Vickery
told talkSPORT Neymar's behavior could see the team destroy itself. In
Vickery's words, “Neymar is such a strange player - he is 26 going on 13.” “He could explode at this World Cup, but he can also
implode – you don’t know what he’s going to do, he’s such a mixed
bag. “The talent the lad has is unbelievable – he sees things at a
different speed to other players. “It’s like he sees
things slowed right down, he does it so quickly, and it means he has so many
options but it doesn’t always mean he chooses the right option, especially
under pressure. “He has always been spoiled, and he exists almost outside of
the codes of the way football is played. “He wants to redefine football as a non-contact
sport. “For him, any contract he gets on him is a foul and this can be so
counter-productive for the team. “The ridiculous penalty he tried to get
against Costa Rica – he had a shooting opportunity! Why not take it, instead of
the ridiculous theatrics?”
With Messi and Ronaldo out of the
World Cup early, former West Germany captain Lothar Matheus - winner of the
FIFA world player award in 1991 - believes Neymar must help Brazil lift the
World Cup trophy next week and cut out play-acting in order to win The Best FIFA
Men’s Player accolade. "We need players like Neymar," he
said. “But not with this acting what he was doing now in each game.”
All photo credits - Getty Images
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