Neymar: "I couldn't look at a football" after the World Cup

Brazil superstar Neymar admits that after his nations quarterfinal defeat to Belgium at the World Cup he couldnt look at a ball and didnt want to see any of the remaining matches I wouldnt go as far as to say I didnt want to play again but I didnt want to see a ball or to see any more football played 26yearold Neymar told AFP in an exclusive interview on SaturdayThe Paris Saint Germain forward was talking at his Neymar Praia Grande institute where the Red Bull Neymar Jr 5s fiveasidesoccer tournament was being played Dressed in a sleeveless tshirt with his sixyearold son Davi Lucca sat upon his knee the striker was however in a relaxed mood as he explained his postWorld Cup bluesI was in mourning I was really sad about it but sadness passes I have my son my family my friends and they dont want to see me moping around Ive got more reason to be happy than sad said Neymar reflecting on his teams 21 quarterfinal defeat to BelgiumAsked about reports in Spain linking him with a transfer to Real Madrid the forward said thats all speculation from the press The guys who come up with these stories seem to know more about my life than I do I wont respond to this type of question because nothing happened he scoffedThe Brazilian superstar who moved to PSG for a world record 222 million euros 264 million last year insists that the burden of expectation on his shoulders whether with his club or country does not weigh heavily No all the great players feel pressure he saidIts true that when it comes to me there are double standards I have been aware of this responsibility not only for Brazil but also in club fotball since I was 17 18 years old I have prepared myself to handle this pressure and I know that when the results are not what they should be then that pressure increasesNeymar has been hit by a barrage of criticism for theatrical rolling around after being fouled at the World Cup but says he should have been better protected People were faster to criticise the one being fouled than the one doing the fouling he insisted I went to the World Cup to play to beat the opposition not to get kickedThe criticism of me was exaggerated but Im a big boy Im used to dealing with this kind of thing And I cant be the referee and play at the same time but there are times I wish I could he said Earlier this week Neymar took a swipe at his critics with a tongueincheek video in which he teaches children how to fall to the groundOne two three go shouts Neymar on the Instagram video as around a dozen youngsters fall to the ground of a parking lot Thats a freekick screams the Brazilian breaking into fits of laughter The video was released with a hashtag ChallengeDAFALTA the freekick challenge in PortugueseDuring the recent World Cup the players antics sparked the Neymar Challenge where he was widely mocked In Mexico a football club even rganised a competition in which contestants attempted to roll the entire length of the pitch Meanwhile Neymar described PSGs new coach Thomas Tuchel as a great addition to the club Hes a great coach and were hoping for a great season he said Im really looking forward to it Neymar said of his second season in ParisWe have signed a football legend Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who will bring with him all his experience and that will be a great help for this coming seasonAlso Read Brazil Superstar Neymar Confirms That He Is Staying At Paris SaintGermainCatch up on all the latest sports news and updates here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Except for the change in headline the story has been provided ASIS AS AVAILABLE without any verification or editing from our side Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever