Neymar has tackled critics, who derided his play-acting at the World Cup, admitting he overreacts and blaming his brat like behaviour on his inner child.

The Brazilian was lambasted in Russia for his theatrical reactions to challenges. "Boot studs on the shins, kick in the spine, stomp on the foot, you may think I overreact, and sometimes I do, but for real? I suffer on the pitch, but you have no idea what I go through outside of it," he said.