• Washington (AFP) | 30/07/2025 - 21:18:12 | US Fed chair defends central bank independence despite Trump pressure

  • Gaza City (AFP) | 30/07/2025 - 21:15:22 | Gaza civil defence says 30 killed by Israeli fire

  • Washington (AFP) | 30/07/2025 - 21:06:26 | US imposes sanctions on shipping empire tied to Iranian leaders

  • Washington (AFP) | 30/07/2025 - 21:02:25 | 'Many, many uncertainties' unresolved on tariff effects: US Fed chair

  • Brasília (AFP) | 30/07/2025 - 20:57:52 | US sanctions on Brazil judge 'arbitrary and unjustifiable': Brasilia

  • Washington (AFP) | 30/07/2025 - 20:49:22 | US Fed Chair says 'well-positioned' to wait before adjusting rates

  • Washington (AFP) | 30/07/2025 - 20:36:19 | Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Brazil, citing trial of ally Bolsonaro

  • Washington (AFP) | 30/07/2025 - 20:02:52 | US Fed holds firm against Trump pressure as divisions emerge

  • Rome (AFP) | 30/07/2025 - 19:22:56 | Tata Motors to buy Italy's Iveco Group for 3.8 bn euros: statement

  • Kyiv (AFP) | 30/07/2025 - 19:11:50 | Ukraine to 'fix' anti-graft law, says minister ahead of vote

Neymar's…
still on a World Cup roll

Begin the story

During the Brazil-Mexico World Cup match, Mexican defender Miguel Layun sinks his studs into the right ankle of Brazil's Neymar, who was already on the ground.

Neymar reacts by clutching the injured limb while writhing in apparent agony. But Layun's foul goes unpunished, and Neymar, miraculously recovered, springs up none-the worse to continue the game.


 

The scene

The action

 
Neymar Neymar Neymar

With an unmatched concentration of photographers on the ground, AFP documented every Oscar-worthy moment of the Brazilian star's World Cup action. In the ensuing social media storm -- with critics taking mocking aim at Neymar's histrionics -- AFP photos were showpieced on the networks -- though not always with the correct AFP credits.


His play-acting to win free-kicks and penalties, his theatrical tears at the end of group games, plus his over-reaction to fouls including those endless rolls on the ground, became a lightning rod for critics upset at Neymar's drama-prone brand of gamesmanship.


 

The moment

The meaning of it all

 

Neymar Neymar Neymar Neymar

AFP covers football and all the news surrounding it, way beyond scores and scorers and the sporting action on the pitch. Few players have been as closely watched, filmed, photographed and commented on as Neymar, who joined Paris Saint Germain for a world record fee of 222 million euros in 2017.

Get in touch