World Cup

Tite: 'Neymar had successful World Cup'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 07 July 2018

Brazil boss Tite insists that Neymar can be pleased with his work at the 2018 World Cup, despite failing to inspire his team to the semi-finals.

Brazil boss Tite has insisted that Neymar can be pleased with his work at the 2018 World Cup.

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker scored twice at the competition in Russia, but could not prevent his team from being eliminated at the quarter-final stage on Friday night.

Belgium progressed to the final four courtesy of a 2-1 success, with Neymar struggling to make his mark against Roberto Martinez's side.

The 26-year-old only just recovered from a broken foot to take part in this summer's tournament, and Tite has paid tribute to Neymar's performance levels.

"Neymar, we've seen there was a clear evolution coming to his top performance," Tite told reporters.

"Before the match when he was selected man of the match [against Mexico] we got together and I said, 'Neymar, you are 100%'. Because you can realise when the mind is thinking and the body is responding. The dribbling, the feinting, the speed.

"He came back better than I imagined. Physically he's also very well gifted, he's very fast. In terms of high-intensity actions, no-one in the World Cup comes close."

Neymar drew criticism for his perceived theatrics during the competition.