Neymar fires back at critics over his diving

Brazilian star Neymar has come under scrutiny at the World Cup for his reactions to tackles as many suggested he was diving and faking pain. However, the player has finally broken silence and explained some details about the incident. ‘Do you think I want to suffer tackles all of the time? No, it is painful, it hurts,’ Neymar said. ‘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.’ The PSG player’s future remains uncertain, however, he will most likely remain at French club for one more season.

Atletico Madrid approached Chelsea for 2018 World Cup winner