SPORT NEWS: Neymar Breaks His Silence On Diving Criticism

Neymar has responded to the criticism directed towards him with regards to diving and believes people ‘will never understand’.

The Brazilian was under scrutiny at the World Cup for his over-the-top reactions to tackles with suggestions he was diving and faking pain rather than actually being fouled.

However, he’s fired back at critics and tried to explain why he’s often seen on the floor and on the receiving end of many fouls.

‘Do you think I want to suffer tackles all of the time? No, it is painful, it hurts,’ Neymar said.

‘After the games I stay back for four or five hours putting on ice, it’s complicated but if you haven’t experienced that you will never understand. I saw [the jokes], but I took them with a humour.

‘Even yesterday I posted on Instagram a joke with the children about it. My football is to dribble, to face the opponent, I can’t stand in front of the opponent and say ‘my dear, excuse me I want to score a goal’, I can’t do that.