Published: Jul 04, 2014, 07:49 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 04, 2014, 07:50 PM (IST)
Fortaleza (Brazil): Jul 4, 2014
Brazil captain Thiago Silva has hit out at critics for disapproving his and his teammates crying before the Selecao’s penalty shootout victory against Chile in the FIFA World Cup 2014 on Saturday. Neymar, David Luiz, Julio Cesar and Silva shed tears as the team prepared for the Round of 16 shootout, which Brazil won 3-2.
“I think we are good psychologically. We are doing what we love to do,” the Paris Saint-Germain defender told reporters Thursday, reports Xinhua. “There was a lot of pressure to win that match and we knew we had to give all we had, but when you do things with a lot of will and desire there is no way to not be emotional.”
The reaction of Brazil’s players during the Round of 16 match has been widely criticised by Brazilian football pundits and even former Selecao players.
Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2002-winning captain Cafu said only Cesar could be excused for shedding tears, having been blamed by many for Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2010 quarter-final exit.
“The tears of Julio Cesar were acceptable because it was a particularly emotional moment for him,” Cafu said. “But apart from that there has to be less crying. The team has to forget about crying and think only about playing football.”
Brazil’s players have worked closely with a sports psychologist before and during the World Cup. Silva denied the outpouring of emotion had negatively affected the team.
“When those things are said we have to look away,” the 29-year-old central defender said. “I just need to think about my job. This is the way I am, I am very emotional and that’s very natural. This doesn’t affect me at any time on the pitch.
“I don’t think the emotion makes anything more difficult. I have overcome difficult moments. I had tuberculosis and had my life at risk, but I am a champion on and off the pitch and I show maturity and respect.”
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