Brazilian star Neymar admitted that he exaggerates some of his falls during the World Cup in Russia. The PSG player was heavily criticized for his World Cup theatrics. His fall followed by several rolls during Brazil’s final group game against Serbia has become the subject of social media trolling. One could say that as far as remembering Neymar in the 2018 World Cup is concerned, he would be more remembered for his World Cup theatrics than his two goals and an assist.
Neymar used an advertisement sponsored by Gillette to spread his message. The 26-year old said, “You may think I exaggerate. And sometimes I do exaggerate. But the truth is I suffer on the pitch. In the ad, he also explained why he did not speak right after Brazil’s quarter-final defeat to Belgium. The Brazilian said, “When I leave without giving interviews, it is not because I only want the victory laurels. It is because I still haven’t learned to disappoint you.”
“When I look impolite, it is not because I am a spoiled kid. It is because I have not learned how to be frustrated.” The forward also likened his playing style to that of a boy who “sometimes charms the world, sometimes irritates the whole world.”
He said, “I fight to keep that boy alive inside of me, but not on the pitch. You may think I fall too much, but the truth is I did not fall. I fell apart. That hurts more than any step on an operated ankle.”
“I took long to accept your criticism. I took long to look at myself in the mirror and become a new man. I fell, but only who falls can pick himself up.”
He concluded by saying, “You can keep casting stones — or throw these stones away and help me stand. When I stand, all of Brazil stands with me.”
