Rogerio warns fans over Neymar criticism

Brazil’s Olympic coach Rogerio Michale has warned Seleção fans that they risk losing Neymar to retirement, as Argentina lost Lionel Messi to retirement, if the harsh treatment from fans continues. The captain had been subjected to criticism in advance of the tournament for his supposed Playboy lifestyle, partying in LA whilst Brazil tumbled out of […]
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sambafoot_admin
2016-08-11 00:36:00

Brazil’s Olympic coach Rogerio Michale has warned Seleção fans that they risk losing Neymar to retirement, as Argentina lost Lionel Messi to retirement, if the harsh treatment from fans continues. The captain had been subjected to criticism in advance of the tournament for his supposed Playboy lifestyle, partying in LA whilst Brazil tumbled out of Copa América.

That criticism has intensified after a pair of below par 0-0 draws with South Africa and Iraq in Brasília. After the latter match, Neymar reportedly walked through the mixed zone after the game with his phone to his ear and refused to take questions.

Fans barracked him as he and the team arrived at their hotel in Salvador and constant chants of "Marta [captain of Brazil Feminino] is better than Neymar" have been heard inside stadiums throughout the Olympics soccer tournament.

Brazil U-23 coach Rogerio Michale has warned fans that Neymar may retire from international football if the criticism continues, "Neymar will become the best player in the world, so we need to respect him more," Michale said.

“He is still young. I know that there have been times when he behaved in a way that we may not like but, at his age, wouldn"t we do the same things that he does, if we had everything he has? If we don"t respect our best players, they might not want to be with us anymore."

Rogerio also suggested that comparisons between Neymar and Marta were unfair, "Marta is how old? 31? We can say that she is a sensational player, and she rightfully has all our recognition, but Neymar is a future world beater.

“Marta and Neymar are two great Brazilian footballers. But Neymar is 24 and still hasn"t" fully matured. A player generally peaks at 28, both physically and mentally. Neymar has had to live with the pressure of being a leader since he was 17-years-old."

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