July 3 – As Brazil await a mouth-watering World Cup quarterfinal against Belgium, the focus of attention is once again on their mercurial striker Neymar – but not for the right reasons.
Neymar has faced a number of accusations of diving during the tournament and Mexican coach Juan Carlos Osorio was incensed after his team’s 2-0 last-16 defeat
Neymar rolled around as if he’d been pole-axed after a second-half challenge by Miguel Layun. The Mexico player approached to grab the ball and in the process stood on Neymar’s ankle. Layun should probably have been dismissed, at least carded, but Neymar clearly over-reacted.
Osorio suggested referee Gianluca Rocchi “favoured Brazil” and without mentioning Neymar by name added: “It is a shame for all the people watching, all the children watching. There shouldn’t be acting. I think this had an impact on our pace and style,” Osorio said.
Neymar was quick to defend himself. “They stepped on me, that wasn’t fair. You can’t do that,” Neymar told TV Globo. “They talked a lot but now they’re going home.”
“I don’t care much for criticism, or praise, because this can influence your attitude. I think it’s more an attempt to undermine me than anything else.
“In the last two matches I didn’t talk to the press because there are too many people talking, getting excited. I don’t know if they’re showing off. I am here to win with my teammates.”
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