Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario, who won two World Cup titles in four appearances has disclosed that his compatriots expected more from Neymar at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Canarinha’s talisman wasn’t able to deliver the breakout World Cup performance that many were hoping for.
“We expected more from him because he’s the team’s star,” Ronaldo explained in an interview with Sport TV.
“I don’t know if it was the foot operation or something else, but I felt he was limited by something.
“He’s still young, very talented and has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, but he has to learn.”
Ronaldo, who as a player also received plenty of contact from rival defenders due to his explosive nature was able to shine a light on Neymar’s diving controversy.
“I asked him five years ago and he explained that on many occasions when he’s kicked he reacts in that way so that the blow isn’t greater,” Ronaldo added.
“That also happened to me, I felt that I was treated unfairly when I was kicked and they wouldn’t blow the whistle.”
One thing that didn’t happen to ‘O Fenomeno’ that Neymar has to deal with is the social media blowback from his actions on the pitch.
“There’s a lot of creative types on social media making all kinds of memes, but you have to try to forget about it and live with it,” he noted.
“Neymar has to control his emotions better during the matches.
“He risks too much looking for yellow cards, he needs to take more advantage of his negative energy and be a little evil.”
Source: AFP
