Football
ESPN staff 10y

Neymar: No Brazil emotional problem

Brazil star Neymar has insisted the World Cup hosts do not have any "emotional problem" after the dramatic penalty shootout win over Chile in the round of 16.

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The BBC reported that coach Luiz Felipe Scolari called the team's psychologist to their training camp after the match, which saw a number of players break down in tears after they had secured a place in the quarterfinals.

Neymar, one of the Brazil stars to shed tears in the aftermath of a win in which keeper Julio Cesar was the hero, said: "The game against Chile was exciting for everyone, but the team does not have any emotional problem in the group."

The host nation take on Colombia in the last eight on Friday when the focus will again be on Neymar, but he was quick to stress Brazil were a team and did not rely solely on his ability to make things happen.

"I do not feel burdened with the obligation to be the highlight -- I have colleagues who help me," he said. "We are a team.

"It's not about one player. Here, the important thing is that Brazil is champion."

Meanwhile, Ramires also defended Brazil's display of emotion and said they were ready for whatever the rest of the World Cup had to throw at them.

"Everybody's talking about the psychological status of our players, but I've seen more experienced players crying on the field," he said. "This is just normal in a match decided by penalties.

"We had conversations before the World Cup, and we're prepared for what comes our way. What we went through in the game against Chile will be extra motivation for us.

"If we have another penalty shootout, we'll be even better prepared. We had over 200 million watching the game and supporting us. The team are prepared emotionally for what comes our way.

"If you play the World Cup in your own country you have to be well prepared. We are. Everybody is confident. Nobody is worried."

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