Matthaus: Neymar doesn't need the play-acting FIFA World Cup 2018 "It undermines his class"

Brazil star Neymar should stop play-acting at the World Cup because it undermines his class, Germany's 1990 trophy-winning captain Lothar Matthaus said on Wednesday.

"Neymar does not need it. He is an excellent player. It does not bring him sympathy," Matthaus told reporters in Moscow, adding that other stars, like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, didn't use these antics.

The attacker has two goals ahead of the quarter-final with Belgium but has made more headlines for diving in an attempt to win a penalty against Costa Rica and for rolling around in apparent pain after an incident in the last-16 game with Mexico, only to play on uninhibited seconds later.

Matthaus is not the only one to criticize the 26-year-old. Neymar has also faced harsh words from the likes of Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio and Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, as well as on social media.

But former Brazil striker Ronaldo came to the defence of Neymar, who is also the most-fouled player in Russia.

"I don't believe the referees protect him enough. There are many opinions and interpretations in football. I don't agree with any of them," Ronaldo said Wednesday.