The relationship between Neymar and football fans has always been chaotic, alternating phases of adoration or hatred. Whatever the club, whether at PSG or with his current team Santos where he was welcomed as a hero a few months ago.
Last night was marked by a new episode in this stormy relationship. The evening had started well.
At home, on his favorite ground of Vila Belmiro in Sao Paulo, Neymar opened the scoring in the 4th minute of the match of the 2nd group day of the South American Cup, a second level continental competition, against the Paraguayan club of Recoleta. But the opponent equalized on a penalty at the end of the first period, to the great dismay of the local supporters who ended up booing their clumsy players, and especially Neymar.
As he went around the stadium to greet the fans, the former Barcelona player was stopped by a spectator. The tension quickly rose and did not escape the ESPN cameras.
“You should have trained more,” says Neymar in response to criticism. You’re a little round man (the word was beeped on the video) ! You should have practiced more. Respect me, and everything will be fine… I’m giving it my all here, buddy. I give it my all. I’m going to give you a minute of fame. »
After taking a few steps towards the locker room, Neymar finally turned around to present himself at the bottom of the stand where the spectator could be found to explain himself – visibly calmly – to him.
“I give my life for football, for this club”
“When people attack me in this way, I don’t accept it,” explained the person concerned at a press conference after the match. I am very consistent, I give my life for football, for this club, I even do more than I should, so I cannot be treated like that. »
Having undergone knee surgery at the end of last year, Neymar is launched into a terrible and uncertain time trial to win his selection for the next World Cup with Brazil.
If he scored his 4th goal of the year last night – during his 8th appearance in 22 matches in all competitions – the 34-year-old has around ten matches to convince coach Carlo Ancelotti before the list is announced on May 18.
The fate of the playmaker has become a state affair in Brazil where President Lula said on Tuesday that the player should be taken “if he is physically ready”.