Brazilian ace, Neymar has broken his silence on the criticism directed towards him with regards to diving during the just concluded World Cup in Russia.
Neymar said that people “will never understand.”
The Paris Saint Germain star was under scrutiny at the World Cup for his over reactions to tackles.
Fans suggested that he was diving and faking pain rather than actually being fouled.
However, the former Barcelona star has fired back at critics and explained why he was often seen on the floor and on the receiving end of many fouls.
“Do you think I want to suffer tackles all of the time? No, it is painful, it hurts,” Neymar said on Instagram.
“After the games I stay back for four or five hours putting on ice, it’s complicated but if you haven’t experienced that you will never understand. I saw [the jokes], but I took them with a humour.
“Even yesterday I posted on Instagram a joke with the children about it.
“My football is to dribble, to face the opponent, I can’t stand in front of the opponent and say ‘my dear, excuse me I want to score a goal’, I can’t do that.
“I have to dribble past him, I have to try to do something and he will not allow me to go past and he will try to foul me.
“A lot of time I’m faster and lighter than other players and they tackle me, and the referee is there for that.”
Comments