Neymar’s “acting” is “not a good example for football”, said Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio after Brazil knocked his side out of the World Cup.
Neymar scored one goal and played a key role in the other as his side won the last-16 tie 2-0 to set up a quarter-final against Belgium.
However, he has faced accusations of diving at this year’s World Cup.
“It is a shame for football, we wasted a lot of time because of one player,” said Osorio.
“This is a game of men that is played with intensity and not with so much clowning.”
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Neymar reacted strongly to a challenge by Miguel Layun in the second half when the Mexico player approached to grab the ball and in the process stood on the Brazilian’s ankle.
Osorio said the incident halted Mexico’s momentum as they chased the game following Neymar’s opening goal, and that referee Gianluca Rocchi “favoured Brazil”.
“It is a shame for all the people watching, all the children watching. There shouldn’t be acting. I think this had an impact on our pace and style,” Osorio said.
“The game totally favoured Brazil. Too many interventions from the referee.”
Neymar, who was given the lowest score by users of the BBC Player Rater, said the Brazilian players “have to learn to suffer”.
“They stepped on me, that wasn’t fair. You can’t do that,” Neymar told TV Globo. “They talked a lot but now they’re going home.”
“I don’t care much for criticism, or praise, because this can influence your attitude. I think it’s more an attempt to undermine me than anything else.”
Brazil coach Tite defended the Paris St-Germain striker and insisted Layun “stepped on him”.
“I saw it on the screen,” said Tite. “In the previous match, he was excellent and here he repeated a high-quality performance,” he added.
Reaction: Neymar scared by a ghost?
Neymar ‘absolutely pathetic’
Former England striker Alan Shearer on BBC One: “It was absolutely pathetic. There is no doubting his ability, we saw a backheel, a finish and setting up of the second goal but it is pathetic when he is rolling around pretending to be in agony. Why does he feel the need to do that?”
Former Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann: “If you look at the whole game, how many fouls were there on Neymar? Loads. Was he overreacting for the Layun challenge? Absolutely, but Layun steps on him.”
BBC World Service Sport’s John Bennett in Samara: “The best and worst of Neymar rolled (pun intended) into one. He created some of the old magic in Samara and is clearly regaining match fitness step by step but yet again his performance will be overshadowed by his theatrics and he’ll make the headlines for the wrong reasons.”
“In Neymar’s defence he has been fouled more than any other player at this World Cup and he is regularly the target of rough treatment.
“Plus, let’s not forget that in the incident that got everyone talking, Miguel Layun did step on his ankle. Despite that, though, the reaction leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It was just unnecessary.”
“With Lionel Messi gone and Cristiano Ronaldo gone, you could argue that Neymar is the biggest star left in this tournament. I just hope it’s his football skills we’re talking about after the quarter-finals, not his amateur dramatics.”
Source: BBC news
