I fell apart during the FIFA World Cup: Neymar

TIL Desk Sports/ Brazil’s star forward Neymar has declared himself a “new man”, saying he has accepted criticism of his behaviour during the FIFA World Cup in Russia. The 26-year-old was widely accused of play-acting and diving during the tournament, drawing sharp criticism from fans and inspiring countless Internet memes.

In a video published by one of his sponsors late on Sunday, the Brazilian admitted he exaggerated some of his reactions to being fouled. “You may think I exaggerate. And sometimes I do exaggerate. But the truth is I suffer on the pitch,” Neymar said in the advertisement.

“You may think I fall too much. But the truth is I did not fall. I fell apart. I took a long time to accept your criticism. I took a long time to look at myself in the mirror and become a new man.” The Brazilian talisman scored just twice in five matches in a Brazil side that was eliminated following a 1-2 defeat to Belgium in the quarter-finals.