Neymar is one of the most talented footballers on the planet. He is also the most theatrical diver the game has seen. If rolling were an Olympic sport, he would have the gold medal. Someone breathes near him, and down he goes, rolling across the pitch.
How long did Neymar spend on the ground at the 2018 World Cup?
One statistical analysis put it at over 14 minutes. His rolling at that tournament turned into a worldwide joke, and the "Neymar Challenge" went viral.
The Brazilian, who has played since 2009 for Santos, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Al-Hilal and Santos again, has been booked for simulation more often than almost any top player in history. He has punched opponents and elbowed defenders, then gone down the moment anyone touched him back. When he left Barcelona for PSG in a world-record £198 million transfer, the diving went with him.
He has scored brilliant goals and won everything at club level. The diving still gets in the way of all that. When a player with that much talent decides to cheat, it is more than disappointing. It is an insult to the game.
Tomorrow: villain number 19.
