Neymar just released a video where he speaks about his behavior on the field. He acknowledges the criticism about his excessive diving and offers thoughts of reconciliation. We applaud a person who can accept their mistakes and who can have an open mind to think there are other paths to follow.
In our World Cup final analysis Neymar came up as the top diver of the tournament even after Brazil left in the quarter finals. And we said: “We hope to see more of his magic and less of his acting in the future.” We are excited that might be the case in the future and we celebrate Neymar for his courage.
Here’s Neymar’s video: A new man everyday
“Boot-stud on the shins, kick on the spine, stomp on the foot.
You may think I overreact, and sometimes I do.
But for real? I suffer in the pitch, but you have no idea what I go though outside of it.
When I leave without talking to the press it’s not because I only like winning,
it’s because I still don’t know how to disappoint you.
When I act like a brat, it isn’t because I’m a spoiled child,
it’s because I still haven’t learned how to deal with my frustrations.
There’s still a boy inside of me,
sometimes he dazzles the world. Other times, he pisses everyone off.
And my fight is to keep this boy alive. But inside of me, not on the field.
You may think I’ve fallen too much,
but the reality is I did not fall, I crumbled.
And that hurts more than anyone stepping on your post-op ankle.
It took time for me to accept your criticism.
It took time to look at myself in the mirror and become a new man.
But now I’m here, with my heart wide open.
I fell, but only those who fall can get up.
You can keep throwing rocks at me or you can throw those rocks away and help me get up
Because when I do get up, buddy, the whole country gets up with me.”