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'Nonsense' Brazil legend Ronaldo insists Neymar is NOT a diver and needs more protection

Heyceleb    2018-07-04 22:36:25

BRAZILIAN legend Ronaldo says Neymar is NOT a serial diver and needs more protection from referees.

The Paris Saint-Germain star, 26, has been slated for diving and play-acting.

Mexican coach Juan Carlos Osorio pointed to “too much acting” after their last-16 defeat by the Samba Boys.

While former internationals Alan Shearer, Peter Schmeichel, Eric Cantona and Pat Nevin have also slammed his theatrics during the first four games of the finals.

But Ronaldo, now 41 and Brazil’s record World Cup goalscorer with 15, claimed Neymar is one of the most fouled players in the entire tournament.

He said: “There are many ways to see football and interpret it. I am against all these opinions on Neymar acting.

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“He is an intelligent player in his movement and on how to defend himself from being tackled.

“I don’t think referees have been protecting him enough.

“When people repeatedly hit me I would feel a sense of unfairness. Criticism is nonsense.”

Brazil face Belgium in tomorrow evening’s quarter-final in Kazan.

And it will pit two of Chelsea’s star midfielders — Willian and Eden Hazard — against each other.

Willian said: “This is the first time I will have played against him in my five or six years at Chelsea.

“I am friends with him at the club but he is on his side and I am on mine, and I hope I can get the better of him.

“I will be doing everything possible to win but we will  continue to be friends.”

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