Neymar: "I did not want to see a ball" after the World Cup

[Juppitèr]

"I did not want to see a ball in front of me, I did not want to see football," Brazilian head Neymar confessed in an interview with AFP on Saturday, commenting on his "mourning" period following the elimination of Seleçao in Russia-2018.

The most expensive player in history, 26, said he returns to the ring because "the sadness does not last forever" and said he had many expectations with the next season at Paris-Saint-Germain, guided by the new coach Thomas Tuchel and in the company of the Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, last acquisition of the Parisian team.

When questioned about the criticism he received for his numerous falls and simulations in the World Cup, he affirmed that he did not go to Russia "to suffer faults". "I went to win, and my opponents obviously were not going to leave me alone," he said.

Neymar received the AFP at the headquarters of his charity Instituto Neymar Jr. Project in Praia Grande, on the coast of Sao Paulo, after playing two matches of the third edition of the Red Bull Neymar Jr's Five friendly championship. During the dialogue, he had in his lap his son Davi Lucca, 6 years old.

Q: What was the impact of your participation in the Cup?

A: It is difficult to answer that question. It was a dream, not only mine, but of 23 athletes, of the commission, of millions of Brazilians. Then the sadness is very great, nobody is sadder than me and my companions. But there is also the learning of having played another World Cup and knowing how difficult it is to achieve that dream (...).

Q: You went on to say that it was hard to find the strength to play after the elimination. Did it ever happen in your head to stop playing?

A: No, stop not, but I did not want to see a ball in front of me, I did not want to watch football because I wanted to disconnect a bit from everything. I had moments of mourning, of sadness, of being alone. I did not want to see anyone, but sadness can not last forever, because I have my son, my family, my friends. They do not like to see me sad and I have many more reasons to be happy than sad.

Q: Do you feel that the critics were stronger with who suffered faults than with who made them?

A: It's true! I think he's the first person who asks me that question and thinks with true reasoning. I think [the critics] focused on who suffers the faults and not on who makes them, because whoever makes them is unharmed. I did not go to the World Cup to suffer faults. I went to win, and my opponents obviously were not going to leave me alone. They would not let me pass without making a mistake, because they know that if they do not do it, I just stop at the goal. I think they were exaggerated, but I'm used to it, I'm pretty big and I know how to deal with criticism very well.

Q: There are those who believe that [their style of play] showed a difference between Brazilian and European football.

A: No, I do not think that Brazilian football is the one that dribbles and the European one is the hardest. Football is growing more and more. I think that equality [of styles] is enormous today. We know how difficult it is to play soccer, even more so for those of us who are attackers. We know that the defenders will not let us go without trying to avoid them, so it is becoming increasingly difficult. But there is someone in charge and that is not me. It's the referee. I can not be referee and player at the same time. If I could, it would be easier! (laughs)

Q: Is there a lot of pressure on Neymar's shoulders?

A: No, the pressure exists for all players. Of course there are two different rods when they relate to my name. I know, and my responsibility, not only with the national team, but also with the clubs where I have played and where I play, has always been very big. Since I was 17, 18 years old, when I went to the National Team, I already knew the demands I would have and I prepared for that. And I know very well that when the results do not arrive, the criticisms begin and the claims are greater.

Q: you already confirmed that you are staying with Paris Saint-Germain, but were there conversations with other teams?

A: No, no. Only speculations of the press, which invents those stories. They would have to ask them, that they seem to know more than I do about my life, and I can not spend the time answering that question, because there was nothing.

Q: Start a new season with PSG. What are the expectations with the team, with coach Thomas Tuchel and with the arrival of Gianluigi Buffon to the goal?

A: The expectation is great, we have received a football legend with all his experience, and I am sure he will help us a lot this season. Then I am very happy not only with him, but also with the coach, who is a great person, a great coach. We hope then that we can do a great job together this season.