It’s time Neymar delivered the goods

MOSCOW: Neymar must deliver today when Brazil face a do-or-die match against Serbia at the World Cup.

Neymar scored Brazil’s second in a late 2-0 victory against Costa Rica last week but has made more headlines for an unnecessary booking in that game, a dive for a penalty, and bursting out in tears after the final whistle.

A verbal altercation with veteran defender Thiago Silva during the game was also reported and his visits to the hairdresser have raised eyebrows as well.

Brazil have failed to impress so far in Russia, held 1-1 by Switzerland, and both goals against Costa Rica coming in stoppage time.

Now the record five-time champions need at a draw against Serbia to make the knock-out stages. It could help Brazil that Serbia, one point behind them, likely need a victory to progress as that could give them a little more space.

Neymar in top form would help their cause but the 26-yearold talisman is still seemingly trying to find his spark after a foot fracture, and his role in the team where Philippe Coutinho has orchestrated play so far and scored twice.

“It is time for Neymar to start playing for the team, not himself,” former France great Marcel Desailly said in a column for The Guardian.

Brazil’s Folha paper said: “Neymar will have to control himself in the future.”

But coach Tite has insisted that Neymar “is human” and the player himself took to Instagram to explain his tears.

“Not everyone knows what I have been through to make it here. Even parrots can talk but only few do things. The tears came from joy, ambition, fighting spirit and the desire to win. Things were never easy in my life,” Neymar said.

Silva said he was insulted by Neymar after returning the ball to Costa Rica after an injury break but hopes that he will now have himself under control following his goal.

“He carried a heavy weight. He’ll now be a lot more relaxed for the third game,” Spanish sports paper Marca quoted Silva as saying.

Neymar’s booking, for slamming the ball to the ground in disgust over a referee decision, is also causing great concern as another yellow card against Serbia, or in the last 16, would see him suspended for one game. And a possible last 16 date with holders Germany – who famously thrashed Brazil 7-1 in the semis four years ago when Neymar is injured – only multiplies those fears.

Serbia must get over their anger with German referee Felix Brych in a 2-1 defeat against Switzerland, and focus on football again if they want to progress: “We know the Brazilians very well and have analysed them in every aspect,” assistant coach Milan Rastavac said.