RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian striker Neymar has declared himself a "new man", claiming to have accepted criticism of his behavior during the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The 26-year-old was widely accused of playing and diving during the tournament, prompting fierce criticism from fans and inspiring countless internet memes.
In a video released by one of his sponsors Sunday night, the Brazilian admitted to exaggerating some of his reactions to fouling, reports the Xinhua News Agency.
"You may think that I exaggerate and sometimes I exaggerate, but the truth is that I suffer on the ground," Neymar said in the advertisement.
"You may think that I fall too much, but the truth is that I did not fall, I collapsed, I took a lot of time to accept your criticism, I took a long time to look at myself in the mirror and become a new man. "
Footie Falls: When Ronaldo, Neymar fell flat on their face
Legends Of The Fall
June 19, 2018
A roar here, a fall there. The FIFA World Cup, full of action, sent these football stars crashing against the ground.
The Brazilian talisman scored only twice in five games in a Brazilian team eliminated after a 1-2 loss to Belgium in the quarter-finals.
His diving, rolling and constant refereeing was not the only cause of criticism during the competition.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker is accused of having attracted attention while crying in front of the television cameras after Brazil's 2-0 win over Costa Rica in their second match of group.
And he was widely blasted in the Brazilian press for refusing to give interviews during and after the tournament.
Sportsmen or Spatsmen? When Neymar and other sports stars had verbal duels on and off the field
Neymar vs Josep Maria Bartomeu
2 Oct, 2017
Neymar football star and Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu have reached a point where Neymar has called a joke. "Cases of clashes between players and coaches are at the dozen.
Pullela Gopichand vs. Jwala Gutta
2 Oct, 2017
The disagreement between the national coach of the National Pullela Gopichand badminton team and the well-known double Jwala Gutta's ace.
It all started in 2015, when Gutta said that Gopichand, who was training him, denied him the "legitimate recognition" of his performance.
She also felt a general lack of support and funds. While Gopichand did not retaliate then, he recently talked about their feud.
"I have forwarded names for funding to the Ministry of Sports whenever necessary.
Apart from that, what more can we do? I do not know why she continues to slander me everywhere.
Earlier this year, Gutta said that Gopichand had "dropped it".
Umar Akmal vs. Mickey Arthur
2 Oct, 2017
Last month, the Pakistani drummer accused the coach of his team of insulting him verbally. the National Cricket Academy.
"I admit that my physique is not up to it … but Mickey said that I should not even have come to the NCA, and that I should rather play cricket."
When the head coach is allowed to swear to someone, it's unacceptable, "he said.
Arthur, however, responded to Akmal's allegations with a scathing answer – "Akmal can not expect the support staff, which is for the contracted players, to be at its complete disposal. "
Rafa Benitez vs. Mike Ashley
2 Oct, 2017
The manager of Newcastle United FC and his owner, Mike Ashley, billionaire English entrepreneur, disagree on the purchase of players.
Both reached a tipping point when Ashley told the media that the team did not have the budget to buy players, which destabilized Benitez.
The Spaniard said, "I can not change what Mike Ashley said and I can not change our situation in terms of market, transfer window and what we need to do."
Lewis Hamilton vs. Toto Wolff
2 Oct, 2017
Last year, the F1 driver fought for the championship title with his teammate Nico Rosberg, who won the title.
Hamilton felt that the German team and boss Wolff were giving Rosberg, which is also an unfair advantage. Mercedes and Wolff both went wild in Hamilton for not playing the team game.
"When I leave without giving interviews, it's not because I only want the loot of victory, it's because I have not yet learned to disappoint you." When I'm rude, It's not because I'm spoiled kid, it's because I have not learned to be frustrated, "he said.
Neymar recognized that his football brand "sometimes charms the world, sometimes irritates the world".
At the end of the advertisement, he called on the Brazilians to support him as he tries to regain respect for the world of football.
"You can continue to throw stones, or throw those stones and help me to stay upright, while all Brazil is with me," he added.