Greedy Neymar and Brazil expect Iraq bounceback and a tough battle
They had to suffer terms as “greedy” and “missing”. It was for failing to fire Brazil to victory in their Rio 2016 opener against South Africa. Neymar and his highly-touted teammates really need a big response against Iraq on Sunday.
Greedy Neymar and Brazil expect Iraq bounceback and a tough battle
A 0-0 draw against a South African side reduced to 10 men for the final half hour on Thursday was tough. They were confronting a chorus of boos by a near 70,000 capacity mass in Brasilia.
Brazil were ready to launch the Games in style as red hot favourites. They were to land a first Olympic football gold thanks to the presence of the Barcelona superstar Neymar.
However, he suffered the cruelest backlash in the Brazilian press Friday after losing possession 27 times. It was more than double any other Brazilian player.
“Greedy Neymar becomes a problem in the Olympic team,” said ESPN Brazil.
“Inexplicably, Brazil did everything contrary to what they rehearsed and preached for 17 days (in preparation),” added Rio newspaper O Globo. “Neymar was missing too.”
However, Neymar defended his decision to act as more of a playmaker. He compared his role to that occupied by five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi.
“Sometimes you end up playing according to a certain player. It’s like how Barcelona play. We play according Messi, he is the guy who plays more on the ball and we end up moving off the ball,” he said.
“It’s why we don’t get bothered by touching the ball into Messi, that’s what many people do not understand.”
However, Brazil coach Rogerio Micale sincerely defended his star and captain.
“I think we have to see he is coming off a long holiday period and is regaining the pace of play,” said Micale.
