NEYMAR’S ANTICS TURNING FANS OFF
Brazilian superstar’s whining and diving outweigh his few moments of brilliance
Were they tears of joy? Or those ofacheat?
Or, more plausibly, were they tears of relief after Brazil took a major step at this World Cup?
Why was Neymar inconsolable following Brazil’s 2-0 win over Costa Rica?
Probably because he’d staved off embarrassment, harassment and undoubted comparisons to Lionel Messi, this World Cup’s current whipping boy following repeated disappointment.
But Brazil’s No. 10, one of the top players entering this tournament, still deserves rebuking for a different reason than his South American counterpart.
Neymar’s petulance — the whining, the complaining, the arm-flailing, the diving — is more than aggravating. It’s turning everyone against him, including those who recognized his undoubted talent.
Referee Bjorn Kuipers, 45, was assigned this fixture for a reason. One of this tournament’s most experienced officials had the stones to repeatedly wag a finger in Neymar’s face every time Brazil’s top player went down easy here at Krestovsky Stadium.
Their final heated exchange midway through the second half probably provoked the Dutch official to produce one of the biggest, most blush-worthy moments at this tournament so far.
Neymar became the first player to have a penalty revoked by VAR after Kuipers had a second look and ruled the Brazilian had embellished inside the box. Everyone not wearing yellow quite enjoyed the decision.
That said, there’s no doubt Neymar was fouled on the play. There’s also no doubt the decision went against him due to his repeated antics at this World Cup.
If only that had capped Brazil’s day after its best player was ripped for being selfish in a disappointing 1-1 draw against Switzerland in its opening match on Sunday.
Instead, a stoppage-time strike from Philippe Coutinho provided the Selecao the only goal they would need before Neymar tacked on another with seconds remaining to relieve the anxiety. He shed tears after the game.
Again, were they the tears of a man thrilled with a result, or the tears of someone who had just alienated a large percentage of soccer fans?
“The joy and satisfaction and pride of representing the Brazilian national team is a lot,” Brazilian coach Titi said in excusing Neymar’s roller-coaster of emotions. “(Neymar) has the pressure. He has the courage to show it. Every person shows it the way they can.”
Then he justified Neymar’s pettiness, his constant appeals, by questioning Kuipers’ decision to rescind the PK he originally awarded before deciding he’d been duped.
“We don’t need referees to win the game,” an animated Titi suggested.
“We don’t need that. We just want it to be fair. To me, it was a penalty.”
He referred back to Brazil’s previous match and reminded a room of friendly Brazilian journalists his side had been denied a clear penalty against Switzerland.
“We don’t want any help (from the referees),” Titi continued, playing the victim moments after his own player had flopped around on the field. “We don’t need any help. The athletes don’t want any help.”
It was a statement that seemed to run counter to Neymar’s ingame actions. Tunnel cameras captured the PSG striker accosting the referees at halftime in an episode that exhibited Neymar’s tendency to think he deserves special treatment.
There were moments early in this Group E fixture that made it seem as though Neymar thought he was above being challenged, as if the name on the back of his shirt protected him from physicality when the stakes were highest.
The problem with Brazil’s top player is the good he produces doesn’t outweigh the bad right now. The few moments of brilliance Neymar shows don’t trump what consistently turns off viewers: The silly games he’s playing at this World Cup.
Some enjoyed seeing Neymar showboat near the end of this match with a rainbow flick that ultimately saw him needlessly lose possession.
I was more surprised an irritated Costa Rican defender didn’t come through and clean him out and give one of the most annoying players at this tournament an actual reason to be on the ground.