'Neymar criticism too much'

The criticism levelled at Neymar has become "too much", according to former Brazil star Gilberto Silva.

Neymar scored twice at the World Cup as Brazil were knocked out by Belgium, though he was roundly criticised for his reactions to tackles.

While conceding that the Paris Saint-Germain striker fell short of his own high standards, Silva believes Neymar, along with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, are held to higher -- and sometimes unfair -- standards.

"Until a certain point, I can understand the criticism [of Neymar]," he told reporters. "But then it starts to become too much. I understand it, he's growing up. He has a lot to learn, and he's going to learn that. And I think because he's a big player, everyone wants to talk about the big player.

"If it was somebody else I have seen in the competition, they do some mad things, but nobody talks about them.

"But if it's Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo it was the same, or if it was [Lionel] Messi. They pick someone for whom they can sell [stories]."