Brazil hope that Neymar tears does not mean a repeat of 2014 disaster

Brazil’s inability to keep their emotions in check contributed to their spectacular implosion at the 2014 World Cup, so the worry is that once again the pressure might prove too much in Russia.

The enduring image of the 2-0 win over Costa Rica that kick-started their campaign last Friday was Neymar’s tears at full time, after he scored the goal that clinched the victory.

The world’s most expensive player is carrying the weight of the nation on his shoulders, and only recently returned from three months out after a foot operation.

However, seeing Neymar cry also brought back memories of Brazil’s unravelling as hosts four years ago.

Then, Thiago Silva and Neymar were among the players who memorably broke down in tears at the end of their penalty shoot-out win over Chile.

At the time, some sections of the media labelled the team crybabies, and 1970 World Cup-winning captain Carlos Alberto Pereira accused them of not being mentally tough enough.

That campaign ended with their infamous 7-1 thrashing by Germany in the semi-finals, and in Russia it is vital current manager Tite keeps a lid on emotions and avoid a repeat of the 2014 debacle.

But they have looked far from convincing so far in Russia and are not certain of reaching the knockout phase going into today’s game against Serbia.

“Everything we did in qualifying and in our friendlies created a lot of expectation. That weighed on us,” the full-back Fagner conceded. But while the squad can be excused for feeling some pressure, not everyone back home has been sympathetic towards Neymar for his tears. The Paris Saint-Germain player has been attacked on social media and he even found himself on the end of criticism from Silva after swearing at him for giving the ball back to the opposition when the game was still goalless.

“He is my little brother, and I try to look after him, give him advice [but] I was very upset with him,” Silva said. “When I gave the ball back, he swore at me. But I think I was right. My conscience is clear and I am very upset with the way he insulted me.”

It all hints at an emotional fragility within Neymar that could be damaging to Brazil’s chances. But one thing that is clear is that finding a way of taking some of the pressure off Neymar can only be beneficial to Brazil’s prospects in Russia.