Brazil International Fagner has jumped to Neymar’s defence as he himself endured a rocky road to Russia. Neymar’s tears at the end of Brazil’s 2-0 World Cup triumph over Costa Rica were heavily criticised.
After the full-time whistle on Friday, Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar sunk to his knees and cried on the pitch, later explaining that his reaction was born of happiness. He also underlined the struggle he had faced to reach the tournament after suffering a metatarsal injury, a hardship with which Corinthians defender Fagner can identify.
“Neymar has gone through a lot,” said the diminutive full-back, who was filmed celebrating wildly when his call-up was confirmed. Two weeks before I was camped for the World Cup, I had an injury. So after that I wasn’t sure if I would be here for Russia