Brazil football great Ronaldo has leapt to the defense of his compatriot Neymar, refuting claims the Selecao forward has been play-acting during the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Among those to criticize Neymar in recent days are former England strikers Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, Argentina legend Diego Maradona and Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio, reports Xinhua news agency.

But Ronaldo called on critics to be more objective and said referees were not providing sufficient protection for Brazil's No. 10. "We have to be more technical in our comments and not like punters in a bar," Ronaldo said during an event in Moscow on Wednesday.