I overreact because I suffer on the pitch, says Neymar

Brazil's Neymar

Neymar has tackled critics, who derided his play-acting at the World Cup, admitting he overreacts and blaming his brat like behaviour on his inner child.

The Brazilian was lambasted in Russia for his theatrical reactions to challenges. "Boot studs on the shins, kick in the spine, stomp on the foot, you may think I overreact, and sometimes I do, but for real? I suffer on the pitch, but you have no idea what I go through outside of it," he said.

"You think I've fallen too much, but the reality is I did not fall, I crumbled. And that hurts more than anyone stepping on your post-op ankle," he added. "When I act like a brat, it isn't because I'm a spoiled, but because I still haven't learned to deal with my frustrations.

"There's still a boy inside of me, sometimes it dazzles the world. Other times it pisses every one off. And my fight is to keep this boy alive, but inside of me, not on the field. You can keep throwing rocks at me, or you can throw your rocks away and help me get up. Because when I do get up the whole of Brazil gets up with me."

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