Neymar opens the scoring from the penalty spot in Lille. Photo: Kyodo
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https://scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2119427/neymar-tears-over-false-rift-stories-psg-brazil-coach-tite-defends-his Football
Neymar in tears over ‘false’ rift stories at PSG as Brazil coach Tite defends his reputation
Brazil forward denies he has problems with coach Unai Emery and teammate Edinson Cavani at club Paris Saint-Germain
Neymar celebrates after scoring Brazil’s first goal in their 3-1 win over Japan in Lille. Photo: Reuters
An emotional Neymar called for an end to “false stories” about his alleged frosty relations with Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery and striker Edinson Cavani.
“I want to ask you to stop creating stories which are not true,” Neymar said after starring in Brazil’s 3-1 international friendly victory over Japan in Lille, before leaving in tears.
“I want to say what I think. I’m totally realistic and what I don’t like is these false stories about me, there is nothing bothering me at my club.
“I’m here because I asked to be here. It’s going really well (in Paris), I’m really happy here and motivated. I’m a player who wants to give everything on the pitch.
“What bothers me is everyone creating stories about me, with my coach and with Cavani. These things are not real, it’s not true.”
“I came to Paris with the agreement of my coach (Emery),” said Neymar.
“When I arrived here we had a meeting. I told him I wanted to help him and he told me he would help me to achieve my goals in my career and the team’s objectives.”
Neymar and strike partner Cavani reportedly fell out over penalty-taking duties in September after the Uruguayan refused to let the former take a spot-kick in PSG’s 2-0 win over Lyon.
Both players subsequently played down the incident, but rumours continue to swirl claiming the Brazilian is unsettled in the French capital.
Neymar has another penalty attempt saved by Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima. Photo: Kyodo
“I just want to be happy, I’m not here to make or create trouble with anybody. I know my role on the pitch and I do what my coach asks me to do,” he said.
“I had a chat with (team coordinator) Edu and Tite because these things are hurting me, every day there are these stories.”
“I’m a human being, I cry, I wake up in a bad mood … I want to apologise for my mistakes in my life,” he said.
Neymar hits the turf in a challenge by Hiroki Sakai. Photo: Reuters
“When you’re being watched by everybody you’re expected to be perfect and I’m not. I’m 25 years old and I’m learning. I’ve made mistakes and will continue to make mistakes but I want to be better.”
Tite, who replaced Dunga as Brazil boss in June 2016, quashed any notion that he himself had experienced run-ins with the 25-year-old striker.
“People said I had problems with Neymar, it wasn’t true. We heard that a lot and it wasn’t true,” said Tite.
“My relationship with him is the best it could be. I’m not saying this to be nice, but because it’s true.”
First-half goals from Neymar, Marcelo and Gabriel Jesus condemned Japan to a 3-1 defeat – their 10th in 12 meetings with Brazil.