bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Nicolas Atkin

Neymar is still being regularly mocked for his play-acting and diving at the World Cup, but at least he’s received some much-welcome support from Hollywood pal Will Smith.
The film star and rapper will perform the official World Cup song before Sunday’s final between France and Croatia, alongside Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi, his fellow performers on “Live It Up”.
And during a media conference at the Luzhniki Stadium, where the trio were set to rehearse their performance, Smith was asked which team he had been supporting in Russia.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in Brazil, and I just love the Brazilian team. I have a really interesting relationship with Neymar,” Smith said.

“We have literally been in the same city and tried to meet literally 10 times, and we’ve got right to just about meeting and now it’s the joke, we text and talk and things like that.
“But you know he’s one of my favourites, and when I was growing up it was all Pele, so I have a little bit of a soft spot in my heart for the Brazilian team.”
Fifa World Cup: Neymar injury play-acting draws criticism as Eric Cantona warns Brazil star ‘be careful’
The 49-year-old then laughed off a question from a Brazilian journalist, who asked him how he rated the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s acting skills.
“I’ve been in the business way too long to answer that question,” Smith said. “I think he did a spectacular job, that’s my man.”
Neymar has been mercilessly trolled on social media with memes mocking his World Cup dramatics, while Manchester United legend Eric Cantona even compared him to a yellow suitcase spinning on its wheels.

Brazilian designer Luciano Jacob also made a hilarious picture of Neymar as every letter of the alphabet, clutching body parts in supposed agony and falling through mid-air.
“When you want to perform on a world scale like that there’s going to be good days and bad days,” Smith said of the criticism.
“You know, as an actor you have situations where sometimes you make The Pursuit of Happyness, sometimes you make Independence Day, and every once in a while you make a Wild Wild West,” Smith added, laughing, as he compared two of his best-loved hits to one of his most panned films.

This one is so funny#NeymarRolling #NeymarChallenge pic.twitter.com/lpBTNBc7Bk
— Inder Sohal (@indersohal) July 7, 2018

<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

Neymar’s theatrics also spawned the “Neymar Challenge”, where fans film themselves dropping to the ground and dramatically writhing around.
Fifa World Cup: ‘Neymar Challenge’ hits new heights as Mexican club introduce contest
It was Brazil’s round of 16 win against Mexico that drew the most ire, when the 26-year-old was accused of trying to get Miguel Layun sent off by rolling around on the touchline and screaming after the defender stepped on his ankle.
Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio called Neymar’s antics “shameful” and “an embarrassment to football” after the match, which Brazil won 2-0 with Neymar scoring one goal and assisting the other.

Brazil went on to be knocked out in the quarter-finals by Belgium, with Neymar having spent a combined 14 minutes on the floor during the tournament.
And Fresh Prince of Bel Air star Smith had some fun when asked how Brazil’s early exit compared to his films.
He said: “It wasn’t Men In Black but, you know, it wasn’t Wild Wild West. So it was right there in the middle somewhere.”
Smith did have some kinder words for Cristiano Ronaldo, however, whose Portugal side crashed out to Uruguay in the last 16.
“I love Cristiano, like I love that dude,” Smith said. “We’ve only crossed paths once but I feel like he has impeccable taste.
“And just seeing the things he does and the way he interacts with people – he has impeccable taste and style.”

China marks 20 years since reaching its only Fifa World Cup with long wait for return set to go on

On this day: China qualified for its only Fifa World Cup

Donald Trump the soccer dad? US president has supported son Barron’s fledgling football career, talking him up to Fifa and introducing him to Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney

Help Hong Kong secure Tokyo Olympics broadcasting rights, and keep the public informed

Fifa World Cup 2018

Fifa World Cup 2018 closing ceremony: Will Smith defends Neymar injury play-acting as alphabet meme mocks Brazil star

Actor Will Smith at the World Cup closing ceremony press conference in Moscow. Photo: EPA

epa06858312 Neymar of Brazil reacts on the pitch the FIFA World Cup 2018 round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Mexico in Samara, Russia, 02 July 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/SERGEY DOLZHENKO EDITORIAL USE ONLY

The Neymar Alphabet

epa06885667 US singer Nicky Jam (R), US actor Will Smith and Kosovar singer Era Istrefi (L) attend the FIFA World Cup 2018 closing ceremony press conference in Moscow, Russia, 13 July 2018. France will face Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2018 final soccer match on 15 July. EPA-EFE/FELIPE TRUEBA

Fifa World Cup: Neymar injury play-acting draws criticism as Eric Cantona warns Brazil star ‘be careful’

Neymar’s play-acting is causing a stir at the World Cup. Photo: Reuters

epa06858548 Neymar of Brazil (C) crosses for the 2-0 goal of Roberto Firmino of Brazil (not pictured) during the FIFA World Cup 2018 round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Mexico in Samara, Russia, 02 July 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/WALLACE WOON EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa06858347 Neymar (bottom) of Brazil reacts next to his teammate Philippe Coutinho (R) during the FIFA World Cup 2018 round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Mexico in Samara, Russia, 02 July 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/TATYANA ZENKOVICH EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Fifa World Cup: Neymar denies injury play-acting accusations – ‘I just feel the pain’

Neymar has been accused of play-acting against Mexico. Photo: EPA

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Brazil vs Mexico - Samara Arena, Samara, Russia - July 2, 2018 Brazil's Neymar receives treatment from medical staff after sustaining an injury REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo

Fifa World Cup: Neymar crying catches criticism from Brazil media as dive for penalty draws disdain

Neymar falls to the pitch in tears after the final whistle. Photo: EPA

epaselect epa06830515 Neymar (R) of Brazil in action against Costa Rica's Giancarlo Gonzalez (L) in the penalty box during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group E preliminary round soccer match between Brazil and Costa Rica in St.Petersburg, Russia, 22 June 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/ANATOLY MALTSEV EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa06830766 Neymar (2-L) of Brazil and his teammates react after the FIFA World Cup 2018 group E preliminary round soccer match between Brazil and Costa Rica in St.Petersburg, Russia, 22 June 2018. Brazil won 2-0. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/ANATOLY MALTSEV EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa06830683 Neymar (R) of Brazil celebrates with team mates after scoring the 2-0 goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group E preliminary round soccer match between Brazil and Costa Rica in St.Petersburg, Russia, 22 June 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/ETIENNE LAURENT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Fifa World Cup: ‘Neymar Challenge’ hits new heights as Mexican club introduce contest

Brazil’s Neymar was much criticised for his histrionics during the World Cup. Photo: EPA

Sport

Football

The actor and rapper, who will perform the official World Cup song ahead of Sunday’s final, also admits he loves Cristiano Ronaldo’s fashion sense


Neymar

Fifa World Cup 2018 closing ceremony: Will Smith defends Neymar injury play-acting as alphabet meme mocks Brazil star

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The actor and rapper, who will perform the official World Cup song ahead of Sunday’s final, also admits he loves Cristiano Ronaldo’s fashion sense

The actor and rapper, who will perform the official World Cup song ahead of Sunday’s final, also admits he loves Cristiano Ronaldo’s fashion sense