Brazil’s late World Cup win over Costa Rica takes them to the top of the Group E but they have failed to convince in their two matches so far and the focus is once again shifting to the South American side’s old foe — emotional stability.
Neymar broke down in tears when the final whistle went as the relief of two goals in stoppage time flooded out of him.
Pictures of the world’s most expensive player crying on the pitch after the 2-0 win on Friday brought back memories of four years ago when captain Thiago Silva sobbed uncontrollably ahead of the penalty kicks decider against Chile in the last 16.
Brazil were questioned at that tournament for their psychological readiness — the players’ looked seriously freaked by Neymar’s absence ahead of their 7-1 capitulation to Germany in the semi-final — and the same questions are starting to be asked now.
In a typically defiant post on Instagram, Neymar claimed his tears were of joy and his team mates defended his public display of emotion.
“I think you have to let it out, a great weight was lifted off our shoulders,” Thiago Silva said, in quotes reported by Globo’s website. “I told him that (crying) is good. Cry as much as you want, only you know what you went through to be at the World Cup.”
Brazil’s oscillating emotions were also laid bare in other comments made by Silva.
A team mate of Neymar’s at Paris St Germain, he said he was upset at his friend for swearing at him for returning the ball to the Costa Ricans in a show of fair play.
The tempestuous forward was, in addition, caught several times on camera swearing at the referee in Portuguese.
Neymar’s obsession with social media has undoubtedly opened him up to more criticism — and pressure — than ever but former players acknowledged even the most balanced individual is under massive stress in Russia.
“The demands on the players here at the World Cup are huge,” Ronaldo, who won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, said in a TV Globo broadcast. “The team didn’t play bad but so much is expected of them.”
Brazil’s next game is against Serbia on Wednesday. The Brazilians are now in pole position at the top of the group with four points, ahead of Switzerland who also have four, on goal difference.
Serbia are in third place with three points with only two teams qualifying for the knockout stage. Costa Rica are bottom of the standings and already out the tournament.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s team doctor said Neymar has now “totally recovered” from the foot injury that required surgery and saw him miss the end of the club season.
However, winger Douglas Costa will miss the side’s final World Cup Group E outing against Serbia on Wednesday.
“I would like everyone to understand Neymar’s situation, and that he no longer has any problem with his right foot,” Rodrigo Lasmar told journalists at Brazil’s World Cup training base in Sochi.
“He has totally recovered but he is still building up his rhythm and his confidence. He is feeling better with every game.”
Lasmar sought to reassure Brazilian media worried about Neymar’s fitness after he limped out of a training session with a sore right ankle following Brazil’s opening 1-1 draw with Switzerland last weekend.
That raised fears, particularly as it was just above the foot that he fractured playing for Paris Saint-Germain in late February, before undergoing surgery.
He did not start a game again until Brazil’s final World Cup warm-up friendly in Austria two weeks ago, and he took a further knock on the left ankle in Friday’s 2-0 win over Costa Rica.
Despite that, he was still on the pitch to score his team’s late second goal in Saint Petersburg.
“The problem with his left ankle is not something that worries us. Tomorrow he will train normally with the rest of the players,” said Lasmar.
The Brazilian camp were unhappy with the treatment Neymar received in the Swiss game, when statistics showed he was fouled 10 times. And Lasmar reiterated those complaints.
“Opponents commit fouls to try to stop him,” he said. “We expect the refereeing to contain that. I am not specifically talking about the risk to Neymar. Fouls can happen.”
Juventus winger Costa will not be able to face Serbia in Moscow due to a thigh problem suffered after coming on as a half-time substitute against Costa Rica.