TOFFEES SWEET ON £30M ROJO

Reviled Brazil star admits he exaggerates pain but insists he suffers

NEYMAR has finally admitted he tried to cheat his way to success at the World Cup.

The Brazil superstar defended himself last month after being vilified for his theatrics in Russia.

He concedes his reactions were “exaggerated” and claimed he is still learning to deal with frustration.

In a 90-second video made for his sponsor Gillette, Neymar sought to win back fans who criticised his behaviour, particularly after one laughable incident during Brazil’s win over Mexico when he threw himself on the ground as if he had been tasered.

“Studs on my calf, knee in my back, stamp on my foot,” said the Paris Saint-germain forward. “You might think I exaggerate and sometimes I really do exaggerate. But the fact is I suffer on the field.

“There’s still a child inside me. Sometimes he enchants the world and sometimes he irritates the world.”

His mission in Russia was to lift himself alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – the two men who have contested the World Player of the Year award over the last decade.

Instead, he was upstaged and outshone by teenage club-mate Kylian Mbappe, who won the tournament with France.

Neymar bowed out in the quarter-finals when Brazil lost to Belgium with the focus less on his skills and more on his dives, roll-arounds and tears (right).

The 26-year old, who suffered a bad foot injury in February, insisted he is trying to become a better person and deal with the disappointments football throws at him. “When I seem rude, it’s not because I am a spoilt child, it’s because I haven’t learnt to deal with frustration,” he added.

“It’s taken time to accept your criticism, it’s taken time to look in the mirror and transform myself into a new man.

“But I’m here, with a new face and an open heart. I fell down, but only those that fall can get up.

“You can keep throwing stones or throw those stones away and help me stand. When I stand on my own two feet, all of Brazil stands with me.”

EVERTON lead the race to sign Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo. The Argentina centre-back (below) has been told he can go if United’s £30million valuation is met. Wolves are also keeping tabs on the 27-year-old.

CUT THE THEATRICS Neymar rolls about on the floor during his controversial World Cup performances in Russia

PEP’S BOY Jack Harrison