MX23RW : Thursday, April 3 00:04:39| >> :600:226325:226325:

Dani Alves: 'Neymar critics are weak'

Alves slams
© Reuters
Dani Alves believes that Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar was harshly judged during the 2018 World Cup in Russia and deems his critics "weak".

Dani Alves has claimed that Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar was harshly judged during the World Cup and has described his critics as "weak".

The 26-year-old suffered a broken foot in February, an injury which initially looked likely to rule him out of the tournament.

Although Neymar was able to return to fitness ahead of Russia 2018, he was widely panned for several instances of diving and playacting.

"I think [it was over the top]," Alves is quoted by Goal.com as saying. "Everything Neymar does turns into news. If he gets emotional, they criticise. If he colours his hair, they criticise. I want to see these people in Neymar's place.

"We have to focus on the things that make us mature and that help us become a real man. The rest is only silly things. Criticising is a weapon of the weak. I believe that we football players always strive to do the best for the group and for our teammates.

"Those who know Neymar know his great quality and how special he is. And I insist again, we have to take care of players like that, they illuminate football. It's players like him that make football have any sense. But as I said, criticising Neymar and players of that level is easy, what's difficult is to do what they do."

Brazil suffered another disappointing World Cup campaign at Russia 2018, exiting at the quarter-final stage.

ID:331150: cacheID:331150:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2328:
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Restore Data
Share this article now:
An upset Neymar during the World Cup quarter-final game between Brazil and Belgium on July 6, 2018
Read Next:
Neymar hits back at playacting criticism
>
Read more about Neymar Dani Alves Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal301710355253061
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest30176750351557
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham3012994440445
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd30107133741-437
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham3097143350-1734
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves3085174158-1729
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!