Neymar…
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
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 overreaction 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
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.
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