2018’s football World Cup in Russia ended with a glorious finale that saw Croatia winning hearts and France winning the cup. But the entire tournament wasn’t as smooth as the final match. Most star-studded teams crashed out early and broke everyone’s hearts. However, the spotlight of embarrassment was on Neymar Jr. thanks to his over-the-top tumbles.
Neymar had rolled a good six to seven feet after being tackled during Brazil’s match against Serbia. And although he played a huge part against Mexico, he spent an excruciating 14 minutes lying on the pitch.
Neymar faked a lot of his injuries during World Cup 2018 and his acting was so obvious that he was turned into a raging meme.
1. Kids were mocking him.
Kids in Switzerland playing Neymar @neymarjr @piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/m2YlXFlAVY
— Russian Market (@russian_market) July 4, 2018
2. Didn’t see that coming.
https://twitter.com/Lee_shabba/status/1014724080354852869
3. And then there’s this.
Neymar keeps rolling rolling rolling rolling #WorldCup2018
(shoutout to @OMGItzJR for sending me the clip) pic.twitter.com/k7LuRW9JUj— Ray Rod (@rayrod747) June 29, 2018
As the World Cup is over and Neymar has gone through all these memes, he decided to clap back at everyone by poking a little fun at himself.
"1, 2, 3…IT'S A FOUL!"@NeymarJr getting in on the #NeymarChallenge 😂 pic.twitter.com/Qzbxfw8fG2
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 19, 2018
Under the hashtag that meant the ‘Free-kick challenge’, Neymar released a video where he was seen with a bunch of kids faking a foul to get a free-kick. Now, it was obvious that he understood that he had overacted during the World Cup and knew that the best way to move on is by accepting his fault. And it’s cool that a star of his stature was doing this. However, the internet was having none of it.
Despite Neymar’s attempt to build bridges, the internet replied to his video with a resounding ‘no’.
1. That’s one helluva comparison.
This stronger than coke https://t.co/2FeI2VFZH5
— Carter V 🔥 (@king_jahmar) July 19, 2018
2. Ouch!
https://twitter.com/jperkovic93/status/1019986965238861824
3. There were only two ways to deal with it.
Owning it.. 😂😂 https://t.co/PyfskzVcTs
— Wamwiri 3.0 🇰🇪⚛ (@kimachianator) July 20, 2018
4. Are you Killmonger?
this y'all idol? https://t.co/pwG98gWvOA
— nf (@brackstrider) July 20, 2018
5. He just ruined it.
The #NeymarChallenge is officially dead… https://t.co/SqdpdlprR0
— David Rouben (@david_rouben) July 20, 2018
6. Or maybe it’s too soon.
He's trying to spin it 😂 too late https://t.co/HxusJygOMe
— Vulcan (@RHPiper_) July 19, 2018
7. Can’t agree more.
This is so cringe https://t.co/6VZoc7NzJW
— H♡ (@HmnFCB) July 19, 2018
8. If that’s the case, he’s not doing a good job.
#DamageControl Neymar https://t.co/nigLjcbSuD
— JP Spinetto (@JPSpinetto) July 19, 2018
9. Is that bootleg sequel to ‘Inception’?
Neymarception. https://t.co/fbjDg1L9zk
— kintsugi (@coldceptions) July 19, 2018
10. You can say that again.
ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ Neymar is so damn shameless man. #NeymarChallenge pic.twitter.com/qjRus9iIIV
— Ahmed🇧ðŸ‡âˆž (@MessiCuIe) July 19, 2018
Diving is a punishable offense in football. However, for some reason, Neymar has managed to avoid getting penalised in this World Cup. But as he has his whole career ahead of him, he should go easy on that aspect and concentrate on his dribbling. That said, has Neymar’s tongue-in-cheek redeemed him in your eyes or not?