BRAZIL SANTOS - In his country, his face is everywhere, both on television and billboards. Unable to escape his features for Métis, surmounted by a crest dyed blond. Neymar, the new jewel of Brazilian football volcanic temper, unleashed passions and raises many desires on both sides of the Atlantic.
A few days back in the final of the Copa Libertadores, South American equivalent of the Champions League, many fans crowded the gates of the club Santos for a glimpse of their idol. Hairdresser to the Iroquois and smiling, relaxed Neymar made an entry. "The rivalry that exists around me I do not destabilize, I do not feel the pressure. Whether it's the jersey of the Brazilian, the colors of my club or with my friends in the street, what matters, it is the joy of playing ball, "explained he.
However, the final game of the South American Cup, June 22, promised to be tense. On the way (0-0), Neymar is notified in the first period for simulation. "The referee threatened me several times to expel me," he says quietly. At halftime of the game, just before the return of players, Muricy Ramalho, coach of Santos, complained to the referee of the brutality with which the defenders of the opposing team (Peñarol) address the nugget .
Uruguayan leaders believe that the pressure of a conditioning coach for arbitration after the match, and filed a complaint against the coach before the South American Confederation Cup. By winning the return 2-1, Santos finally won the Copa Libertadores and Neymar, object of attention, opened the scoring, tried to walk on an opponent to the ground and actively participated in the brawl that followed the meeting.
