Neymar: "Rival players always hit me when I try to get past them"
The Brazil ace was accused of play-acting during the Russia World Cup but explained that he gets fouled more because he is faster and lighter than the opposition.
Brazil star Neymar was accused of play-acting during World Cup Russia but as he explained to journalists, he gets fouled more because he is faster and lighter than the opposition - it's not something he goes looking for.
“I’m much faster than they are, a little lighter and that’s why I get fouled a lot. Rivals players don’t let me get past them without hitting me (laughs). It’s very difficult. It’s not as though I can say: ‘Excuse me, can I get past so I can score a goal!’ They won’t let me! (laughs). I suffered a lot of fouls at the World Cup, but that’s not what I wanted. It’s a something I have to learn from. I’ll be trying to improve my game, every day, and work on my life on and off the pitch to help the national team – that’s what matters most".