Although Brazil team failed to beat Switzerland in their first group game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Neymar has set yet another record with the most fouls received since 1998 edition of the tournament.
Football fans took to twitter to claim that the Brazilian icon should be protected.
In Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Brazil, Switzerland committed 19 fouls. The 26-year-old star striker received as many as 10 of them, more than any other player in the last 20 years since the 1998 World Cup in France, when England’s Alan Shearer was fouled 11 times by Tunisia.
It is also the most fouls suffered by a Brazilian player in a World Cup match since 1966, when Portugal’s rough tactics led to the legendary Pele being kicked out of the tournament.
Neymar’s ability often makes him a target of rough defenders. In 2014, an injury-causing tackle by Colombian defender Juan Zuniga ended the 2014 World Cup for Neymar. Without Neymar, the Brazilian team went on to get destroyed 7-1 by Germany in the semi-final, marking the worst defeat in the country’s history.
Neymar’s performance prompted mixed reactions on Twitter.
Many fans have sent their support to Neymar, saying the referee was partly to blame.
I actually agree with Lalas. Wow. That was a hack-a-shack type approach with Neymar and the ref empowered it with no deterring, @JasonLaCanfora tweeted.
@BleacherReport tweeted; Switzerland was out to stop Neymar by any means
@BlazingCold; Poor refereeing. Ref needs to step in after first couple fouls and start giving cards, even for innocuous fouls. Protect ALL players, not just Neymar. There needs to be a message sent from ref to players that this is not ok
@BuckyBrooks Looks like the Switzerland strategy vs @neymarjr was similar to @nfl Press-Man teams jamming and holding beyond the 5-yard contact zone.. Play the odds that the refs won’t call every foul.That’s how the @Seahawks used to do it with the “LOB” #WorldCup
Some fans, however, believes it was Neymar’s selfish play that was behind the number of fouls he had received.
@Rouge_Rapper Neymar plays selfishly though.. He cost his team as well. Like dude, if the whole defence is on you… You need to pass the ball or you cause loss of possession.. Neymar wanted to just shine.
@kadp17_ If Neymar spent more time actually trying to score instead of faking injury maybe Brazil would’ve won this one.. #WorldCup #BRASUI
@ESPNStatsInfo Neymar was fouled 10 times in this match vs Switzerland, most for any player in a World Cup match since Alan Shearer was fouled 11 times against Tunisia on June 15, 1998.
It also is the most fouls suffered for a Brazilian player in a World Cup match since 1966.
