Published on 07:32 PM, July 25, 2018

Neymar not taking it easy!

Brazilian football star Neymar () plays football as he hosts a five-a-side football tournament for his charity Neymar Junior Project Institute, in Praia Grande, Sao Paulo, Brazil, on July 21, 2018. Photo: AFP

One might take it for granted, that away from the pressures of the World Cup and the Champions League, Neymar is a more relaxed footballer who is not quite as obsessed with how the world views him as he is when playing professionally.

Neymar and Brazil both went to the World Cup with high hopes but their dreams were dashed by Belgium in the quarterfinal of the showpiece event. Neymar made the headlines but often for the wrong reasons. He came under intense criticism not only from countrymen for failing to deliver Brazil their sixth World Cup title but also fans and former players for going down too easily and exaggerating fouls.

Often been labeled a ‘ball hog’ by people because of his tendencies to hold onto the ball for too long and showcase his flashy skills, Neymar this time wanted to showcase his skill in a five-a-side match. He proceeded to make a mess out of the situation.

Neymar was recently recorded taking part in his own five-a-side tournament - Neymar Jr's Five - in the Brazilian city of Santos on Saturday. Neymar was in no mood to take it easy though as he showed his competitive natureby barging onto another player who had nicked the ball away from him while he was trying something flashy.

He ran after him and barged him out of the way, leaving the teenager on the ground, perplexed. At this point a free-kick was awarded and protested a little bit.

The Brazilian loves to be on the football pitch and enjoys himself more with the ball at his feet but in this case he could have cut some slack to his opponents. Maybe it was a case of World Cup frustrations boiling over?