‘Neymar is persecuted’

Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves believes Barcelona forward and Brazil teammate Neymar is subject to unfairly intense scrutiny.

Neymar has been criticised as Barca have slumped from nine points clear at the top of La Liga to level with Atletico Madrid ahead of the last five games, Alves having been part of the Valencia side that beat Barca on Sunday.

“Neymar is suffering a persecution, although this happens all over the world. The fact that they are Neymar or Lionel Messi provokes a greater controversy,” Alves told Brazilian publication Globoesporte, Sport reports.

“They are used to this kind of situation. Neymar is calm. I talked to him before the same and saw he was relaxed, no problems.

“I didn’t see what happened after the match, with my Valencia teammates, as I was giving an interview. But when something happens, everyone goes home and forgets it.”

Tags Diego Alves Neymar
La Liga - Club News