Alves backs Neymar to mature after World Cup criticism
Neymar will learn and improve after facing criticism at the World Cup, according to Dani Alves.
Dani Alves backed Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar to mature and change his behaviour after criticism at the World Cup.
Neymar, 26, was criticised for diving and exaggerating contact throughout the showpiece tournament in Russia, where his nation made a quarter-final exit.
Alves feels that experience will lead to a change in Neymar, backing the superstar forward to mature and learn.
"In life, sometimes things happen that make you mature and make you realise that you have to improve as a professional," he told reporters on Thursday.
"I've talked a lot with Neymar, I think he's gained experience, and the little shots he's received during the World Cup will make him even more mature, [lead to a] change of behaviour."
Alves said Neymar, who has scored four goals in five games for PSG this season, needed to accept the criticism and grow as a person.
"You leave the kid aside and you become a man, and when you start becoming a man, your decisions and attitudes become more weighty," he said.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"I told him that if everyone tells you the same thing and not only one or two people, something is wrong.
"We all have flaws, but we must not stay in one's flaws. In life, we must try to evolve, because we are all intelligent."
‘Milan didn’t collapse against Liverpool in Istanbul. We lost focus for six minutes – for the other 114, we played an extraordinary, beautiful game’: AC legend claims they were 'extraordinary' against Reds in 2005 Champions League final
‘Charlton could have qualified for Europe, but selling Scott Parker to Chelsea made the difference. The manager didn’t want him to go and there was a disagreement’: Former Addicks star highlights key reason why they failed to maintain 2003/04 form