Brazilian talisman Neymar has denounced claims of diving and told Sport that rather than cheating, he is merely protecting himself from injury.
The 21 year-old superstar has been accused of going to ground far too easily in a bid to get opponents in trouble with the referee but has denied any wrongdoing: “I do not do theatre. When an opponent gives me a hard kick I just try to protect myself and make sure I do not get badly hit or collide with them.”
“In any case, I do not get sad or annoyed by what is said about me.”
Instead, Neymar insists that life at Barcelona is idyllic, citing the experience of those around him for allowing him to adjust to his new environment.
“How am I going to have pressure if I play with the likes of Messi and Iniesta? The pressure disappears with them because I am fulfilling my life’s dream.”
The Barcelona starlet is set to be the face of this year’s World Cup and the way he appears to deal with apparent expectation will stand him in good stead for the biggest tournament around.
