Fifa World Cup: ‘Neymar Challenge’ hits new heights as Mexican club introduce contest
Mockery continues for the Brazil forward days after his team are eliminated from the competition in Russia
First Mexico midfielder Andres Guardado wasted no time in hitting back at the divisive forward after their loss to Belgium last Friday, taunting “and now who’s going home” following the defeat.
And now Liga MX outfit Club Tijuana has stuck the boot in ever further by introducing a competition based on the viral Twitter hashtag “Neymar Challenge” during the half-time break of their matches.
The contest involves participants racing from the half-way line to the goal by rolling in the same manner the Brazilian mastered during the competition in Russia.
Neymar has been much criticised for some of his on-field behaviour at the Fifa showpiece, but little of the criticism was more scathing than that of Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio, who remarked: “We had control of the match, but to me it is just shameful that so much time could be lost over one player.”
The forward was defended by some of his countrymen, however. Former Barcelona midfielder Rivaldo, who was no stranger to theatrics during a successful playing career, wrote in support of his compatriot encouraging him to fall in order “to buy time” whenever he felt the need.
Whether the histrionics were justified or not, they inevitably became the subject of great mirth for Twitter users. Here are some of the highlights of the #NeymerChallenge.
Then animals got in on the act.
And a shark.