The Barcelona defender said that his teammates’ tears during the national anthems sung at this World Cup were the result of the Seleção’s ‘pleasure’ at being involved in the tournament in Brazil.
Neymar cried before the hosts’ match with Mexico and most players looked a little moist at the eye during the anthem proceeding the opening game against Croatia.
Speaking to the press, Alves said: “Only those who live and feel this may explain this moment. It’s exciting, worthy to congratulate people who feel. The guy is going to compete, he is not weak because he is crying, he is emotional, crying in front of millions of people.
“This is to see what it felt like to play a competition like this, our pleasure to live this moment. They say a man cries of weakness, but it is human emotion, an emotion you cannot control.”
