'What a joke'- Fans call out after blatant Neymar dive in pre-season friendly

Neymar, one of the most skillful players, broke the football transfer record when PSG bought the Brazilian from Barcelona in 2017. In what is still an eye-watering amount for a footballer, the French club paid a humungous €222 million for Neymar’s signature.

The player, despite increasing PSG’s global popularity, hasn’t helped them achieve one objective they signed him for; winning the Champions League. The French club went one step further and signed arguably the greatest player of this generation, Lionel Messi but the move is yet to bear fruit.

As much as fans adore Neymar there is a certain section of them who do not like his antics on the football pitch. One such antic was caught on camera when PSG faced Gamba Osaka in Japan. While dribbling an opposition defender in the box, Neymar faked a shot and fell down while bringing the ball back as if the defender had clipped his shoes.

On replay, however, it was clear that the defender had not even touched Neymar and he had dived to earn a penalty. Fans were quick to call out the player for diving despite the stakes being so low, as it was pre-season friendly.

Neymar was given a penalty which he scored to make the score 2-0 but the world had seen his poor sportsmanship. This is one aspect of his game that football purists despise. Despite being so skilfully gifted, the Brazilian tries to win fouls and penalties by what can only be called cheating.

PSG went on to win the game 6-2 with the trio of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe being on target. Having never won a Champions League, the French side are readying another challenge at football’s pinnacle. In their domestic league, however, Ligue 1, the PSG side are easily able to win every season.

Twitter was buzzing with people calling out and laughing at Neymar’s poor sportsmanship against a minnow club. Let’s look at some of the reactions from Twitter.

Neymar even dives in friendliespic.twitter.com/FLFbmTC2oc

— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) July 25, 2022

World Class dive from Neymar Jr 🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/nkkRBHP4XS

— 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨 (@Footballrover) July 25, 2022

Neymar diving to get a penalty (in a FRIENDLY) while PSG are on a preseason tour of Japan.

I suppose since simulation is such a large part of his game, he needs practice to keep those diving skills sharp? https://t.co/2kpCp5d1Ge

— Stephen Brakel Packer (@pacshb) July 25, 2022

Neymar wins a penalty during the #PSGJapanTour2022 😅 What's worse, the diving or the officiating? https://t.co/jFVCH9SKlT

— Barry (@spulseukultras) July 25, 2022

Neymar oversold this penalty call like he was in a WWE ring and Vince McMahon was just off-camera threatening to kill his pets.pic.twitter.com/eYcy7yYKrv

— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) July 25, 2022

Neymar diving for the penalty at usual? What a joke, Osaka player never touched him. 🤣 #PSG #PSGJapanTour2022

— Ruslan (@Ruslan7414) July 25, 2022