Diego Maradona: 'Brazil too reliant on Neymar'

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has expressed his belief that Brazil have been over-reliant on Neymar at the World Cup.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side qualified from Group A after topping the group, taking seven points from their three games as Neymar scored four of his team's seven goals.

Maradona feels that Brazil's progress in the tournament will depend on how they provide support to the Barcelona forward in their second-round clash with Chile.

He wrote in The Times of India: "Brazil have mounted many moves, scored seven goals and Neymar has got four of them. They left gaps wide open in the first half against Cameroon and were not comfortable against Croatia.

"A lot will obviously depend on Neymar. He will be heavily marked and how he handles that will go a long way in deciding the outcome of this match. He has been the Messi of this side but over-reliance isn't a good sign.

"Brazil need men to rally around him and it's time to show they are no one-man army. I don't agree with [Luiz Felipe] Scolari's selection of Paulinho and Hulk. He has better substitutes in Fernandinho and Ramires and the former proved that against Cameroon."

Brazil take on Chile in their last-16 clash later today.