Neymar: ‘I’m criticised for everything, but I'll help Kylian Mbappe become a world great'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Updated 23/07/2018 at 08:43 GMT
Neymar has rounded on the critics who accused him of play-acting and failing to find his true form during the World Cup finals in Russia.
Neymar
Image credit: Getty Images
After Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to Belgium in the last eight, the £198m Paris Saint-Germain forward was singled out for failing to living to up expectations for the five-times world champions.
Neymar scored in Brazil’s 2-0 group win over Costa Rica while his effort against Mexico in the last 16 helped Tite's team reach the quarter-finals.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/07/23/2377621-49451190-2560-1440.jpg)
Brazilian football star Neymar offers an interview to AFP on July 21, 2018 at his charity Neymar Junior Project Institute, in Praia Grande, Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he hosted a five-a-side football tournament.
Image credit: Eurosport
But his diving against Mexico left a sour taste in the mouth with many commentators comparing his antics to Rivaldo’s disgraceful play-acting against Turkey at the 2002 finals.
"I'm criticised for everything, for what I say, for what I don't say, I'm used to it. I've been through this a lot," said Neymar.
But I talked after a few days because I was soothing my pain I was sad, I had to take my time to be more calm. It was a very difficult time.
"And when I said something it was how I always talked [via Instagram]. It's where I feel comfortable, where I try to express my words, and bring the public closer to me. I'm cool about this."
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/07/23/2377622-49451210-2560-1440.jpg)
Brazilian football star Neymar, with his son Davi Lucca, offers an interview to AFP on July 21, 2018 at his charity Neymar Junior Project Institute, in Praia Grande, Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he hosted a five-a-side football tournament.
Image credit: Eurosport
In an interview with AFP over the weekend, the 26-year-old forward also berated the standard of officiating in Russia and said: “I went to the World Cup to play, to beat the opposition, not to get kicked. The criticism of me was exaggerated, but I'm a big boy, I'm used to dealing with this kind of thing.
"I can't be the referee and play at the same time, but there are times I wish I could."
Neymar only returned to full fitness prior to the World Cup after needing surgery on the foot and ankle injury he suffered during a Ligue 1 match against Marseille in February.
He admits the agony of defeat to Belgium hit him hard, but was happy to see PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe help France win their second World Cup trophy.
Neymar scored 19 goals in 20 league matches with £162m teenager Mbappe hitting 13 in 24 to help PSG regain the French title a year after losing out to Monaco.
Neymar sees himself as a key part in Mbappe's future development at PSG.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/07/20/2375888-49416530-2560-1440.jpg)
Kylian Mbappe and Neymar pose with the trophy
Image credit: Getty Images
“I congratulated him, of course,” said Neymar,
"We talked during the World Cup, always, and we tried to meet in the semi-finals but unfortunately it wasn't possible.
But I was happy for him. He's a boy that I have special affection for, he's a boy that I try to pass on my experience, even at my young age, to help him become better and better.
Scan me
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement