Brazil captain defends Neymar’s emotional reaction after victory

There were some raised eyebrows after Neymar dropped tohis knees in tears after Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in Friday’s World Cup action, with some believing that what should have been a routine win did not warrant such a response.

Neymar’s teammates, however, defended him after the game, with Thiago Silva, the team’s captain for the evening, stating that a late-season injury that looked like it might jeopardize his World Cup played into a lot of pressure.

“He was crying on the pitch. I told him to get it all out, because he’s been carrying a lot of weight,” Thiago said, via Paul Hayward of the Telegraph. “It’s not easy to go three months without playing, but people don’t understand that. They keep criticizing, hammering him. He’s got great character, because it’s not everyone who takes on the responsibility he has today.

“He deserved his goal and we deserved the win. I think he has [been criticized]. It’s tough for us to fight against those who have the microphone. We try and respond on the pitch, playing as well as possible, and dedicating ourselves on the training ground. That kid has worked so hard to get here. It’s only the second time he’s played 90 minutes after three months out, so of course he’s feeling it.”

Neymar has always been an emotional guy. He’s also just worked his way back from a long-term injury and is regarded as the star player on a World Cup contender from a nation that does not settle for second-best. He had struggled in the team’s opening game and only scored his first goal of the competition late in Brazil’s win Friday. There is a lot of pressure there.