Neymar Interrupted…#BRAvsCOL, #World Cup 2014

What a day! Feeling it for Brazil’s Neymar whose vertebra was fractured in a rough and dirty tackle by one of his opponents. What’s interesting in the following selection of tweets is how skeptical people were initially of Neymar and what was perceived as his calculated antics–all the sympathy resting with Colombia’s James Rodriguez, one of the top scorers and stars in this tournament–until–it was known that Neymar wasn’t doing the usual fake dive and award-winning performance some players are known so well for. His vertebra was actually fractured in the unnecessarily rough tackle that took him down and he is out of the rest of the tournament. Here’s hoping that Neymar’s injuries aren’t permanently disabling and that he will soon return to football. In retrospect the amount of snark unleashed at Neymar seems shameworthy. Judge for yourselves…oh plus there’s plenty on James, rapidly becoming the most beloved player of this World Cup, his distress at Colombia’s failure to advance (with the famous last words “Men cry too.”)…and last but not least the ‘giant grasshopper’ that landed on his arm just as he struck his goal.

My father always said ‘Always bet on the person you want to lose. That way you end up either happy or richer.’
Foul. Foul. Foul. Then foul. Foul. Then dive. Then foul some more. Fake injury. Jogo bonito my foot. Vamos Colombia,
How cute is this!! RT @Footballltrolls: Childhood Friends Scored Today ! http://t.co/jfQ9dviZKX
How cute is this!! RT @Footballltrolls: Childhood Friends Scored Today ! pic.twitter.com/jfQ9dviZKX
Jogo dramaaaaaaaático, the Brazilian announcer says. Indeed
Holy hell! #neymar people are sobbing his name here #BRACOL
That thing about crying wolf?
At the end of the game Neymar gets to take Oscar home to keep him in his trophy cabinet #AwardWinningActingSkills
#WorldCup2014 #BRA #COL Ah now the other Brazilians – Luiz excepted of course — will actually have to play as poor Neymar has gone off
It’s jogo bonito one minute, jogo feo the next.
Brazil marching towards the title with the confidence of a litigant who’s bribed every judge all the way up to the Supreme Court. #BRAvsCOL
Nobody can stop Rodriguez from scoring, not even giant Brazilian insects. http://t.co/xk1opP9DO8
Nobody can stop Rodriguez from scoring, not even giant Brazilian insects. pic.twitter.com/xk1opP9DO8
Brazil playing like minnows. The uninitiated can be excused for thinking they’re plucky underdogs.
Brazil panicking because referee contract only extends to regulation time.
GERMANY VS BRAZIL WILL BE MY VENGEANCE!! #GER http://t.co/5viCF17Ime
GERMANY VS BRAZIL WILL BE MY VENGEANCE!! #GER pic.twitter.com/5viCF17Ime
FULL TIME: #COL crowned unofficial World Champions by the people of the world. #BRA to play #GER in so-called “semi-final”.
Don’t think I’ve ever disliked a Brazilian team more…
#BRA ain’t here to make friends. On to the final four. GOLAÇO by Luiz. Thank you Colombia, you were wonderful. #thefootball
Neymar leaves the pitch in tears after he gets a knee in the back. #BRA 2-1 #COL #WorldCup2014 http://t.co/OQEaJctSfn
Neymar leaves the pitch in tears after he gets a knee in the back. #BRA 2-1 #COL #WorldCup2014 pic.twitter.com/OQEaJctSfn
Nice that the WC now has a clear-cut villain for the uninvolved to root against.
HUGE RESPECT goes to Colombia, one of the best teams in the 2014 World Cup, very unlucky to be knocked out. #COL http://t.co/BxBYumyfo7
HUGE RESPECT goes to Colombia, one of the best teams in the 2014 World Cup, very unlucky to be knocked out. #COL pic.twitter.com/BxBYumyfo7
Brazil lives to fight another day
Well, Germany better brush up on their faking-an-injury skills.
James weeping in David Luiz’s arms is killing me. And again: I don’t care about football
Unbelievable that #FIFA managed to first turn so many Brazilians against football, and now turning so many against #BRA team. #fuckFIFA
Well done Brazil, but if they win it on this form World Cup has gone from hero to zero. Tough luck on Colombia, the best. #VamosColombia
And top scorer for now. RT @KEmpress22: Look at the Brazillian players consoling Rodriguez. He deserves it all. Great player. So young.
cried my first tears of this tournament watching james cry. damn.
James Rodriguez is so good nobody is talking about Neymar, who probably died.
David Luiz consuela a James http://vine.co/v/MUjJOOEtgr2 
Full time. #BRA beat #COL 2-1 and so will play #GER in the semi-finals on Tuesday! #BRAGER http://t.co/Pt5D3hdxf1
Full time. #BRA beat #COL 2-1 and so will play #GER in the semi-finals on Tuesday! #BRAGER pic.twitter.com/Pt5D3hdxf1
The entire internet would also like to give James Rodriguez a hug.
the only team that hasn’t looked trash is now out of the comp… classic.
Anyone not supporting Germany next week is a travesty of a human being. And probably getting a call from FIFA, asking him to be referee.
Ok James Rodriguez. Enough now. We want our wives’ and girlfriends’ attention back.
#COL James celebrates scoring his side's only goal in the #BRA matchup & his 6TH World Cup 2014 goal. #glnrWorldCup http://t.co/jfMDpEv2il
#COL James celebrates scoring his side’s only goal in the #BRA matchup & his 6TH World Cup 2014 goal. #glnrWorldCup pic.twitter.com/jfMDpEv2il
Huge line outside the stadium and on twitter to comfort James Rodriguez.
@Fernando_Duarte No reason to be quiet, Fernando. This was a pathetic display from Brazil. Godawful, cynical, and cowardly.
Dani Alves and David Luiz console a teary-eyed James Rodriguez after the match. #Respect http://t.co/NCVdBG6nhC
Dani Alves and David Luiz console a teary-eyed James Rodriguez after the match. #Respect pic.twitter.com/NCVdBG6nhC
“U can DO this!” Whispered Andres Escobar, reincarnated as a locust, on the anniversary of his death, into the ear of Jamés. “Believe…”
Germany hosts the World Cup, make the world love its football. Brazil hosts the World Cup, make the world hate its football.
Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, giant green bug was to remember that distant afternoon when he went to meet James Rodriguez.
James Rodriguez: “I’m crying because we gave everything we had inside of us. The referee didn’t help us. Men cry too.”
Fucking hell, that picture of a bug on James Rodríguez was real?!! </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<p>That is honestly terrifying. http://t.co/gybzdfcwum
Fucking hell, that picture of a bug on James Rodríguez was real?!! That is honestly terrifying. pic.twitter.com/gybzdfcwum
Neymar has been taken to hospital with his back injury. Very much hope it’s nothing serious.
A large grasshopper "attacked" James #Rodriguez after scoring penalty during #BrazilvsColombia quarter-final match http://t.co/6L12QirTec
A large grasshopper “attacked” James #Rodriguez after scoring penalty during #BrazilvsColombia quarter-final match pic.twitter.com/6L12QirTec
Brazil and Colombia Bring the Ugly Game  http://thebea.st/1saYvfa  via @tunkuv [My take on the quarterfinals today for @thedailybeast]
how come nobody was up in arms when ogenyi onazi was hacked down by the french player and left with a broken leg?
Neymar is out of the World Cup with a broken vertebrae. What an absolute bummer!
@NPRrussell: Brazilian superstar Neymar out of World Cup after fracturing a vertebrae. Referee did not whistle a foul on the hit.” @damani
Sad day for the World Cup as it loses two of its brightest young stars  - one to defeat, one to injury. http://t.co/0PWnWVKsSZ
Sad day for the World Cup as it loses two of its brightest young stars – one to defeat, one to injury. pic.twitter.com/0PWnWVKsSZ
Excellent question “@simoncrosskill: Hey FIFA isnt a deliberate knee in the back worse that a bite on the shoulder.”
Sad hearing the news @neymarjr ..Have a speedy recovery
News of Neymar’s broken vertebrae has just hit the party I am at and it has ground to a stony-faced halt #worldcup14
Brazil and Colombia Bring the Ugly Game  http://thebea.st/1saYvfa  My piece for @thedailybeast (with an added Neymar post script)

More World Cup Underdogs…#ALGvsGER and #USAvsBEL

Curated tweets from Algeria vs Germany and USA vs Belgium in the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

  1. If you run out of World Cup Budweiser keep old bottles and boil up some rice. Chuck away rice but put water into bottles in fridge. Chill.
  2. Drink cold, but go easy, it’ll be a higher alcohol content than you are used to. #fudweiser
  3. The world upside down: Algeria teaching Germany how to play soccer. It might be just a brief dream.
  4. You can hear the Algeria fans singing pro-Palestine songs in the Stadium ️
  5. Never, ever thought I’d say this, but Germany look tactically inept.
  6. In today’s #WorldCup recap, Jonathan Wilson on the political fear of soccer and how to shame a pathological diver:  http://tpr.ly/1sSkMSZ 
  7. @FutbolsaCountry May the team that holds the more legitimate historical grudge against #FRA prevail.
  8. Don’t know if Algeria is fasting. But Germany is definitely slowing.
  9. Germany is struggling against guys who haven’t eaten all day.
  10. The Muslim world could use a lift ya now… New caliphate and all#ALG
  11. Wait, Algeria holding Germany to a tie? What a World Cup.
  12. Great game Algeria. You made us proud. Well done Germany.
  13. Nooooooo. Germany plays France next. Here come all the WW2 tweets. Gah!
  14. “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end the Germans win.”—Gary Lineker Or 120 minutes, Gary.
  15. Unnuh see dat goal???? Slimani … Algeria …. OMGawd
  16. Is there extra extra time in extra time?
  17. Yow, big up Algeria.
  18. Fucking beauty! Never saw that coming. Bet they wish they’d bothered to properly defend Ouzil’s goal now.
  19. GOAL! #ALG will not lay down and its that man Djabou. Its now#GER 2 – 1 #ALG but is it too late?
  20. This one hurt the worst. Bravo, #ALG, a courageous, honorable display. Those first half missed chances…
  21. Algeria is this World Cup’s PT Usha.
  22. Well played Algeria. Organize a triangular series with Chile and Mexico please.
  23. Thank you thank you goal gods!!! Algeria scored!!#neighbourshateme #screaminginpublic
  24. Disappointing start to the new Caliphate.
  25. Corporate America takes World Cup breaks, and we have the data to prove it  http://qz.com/228183  via @qz
  26. Put it in your diaries. #GER are in the quarterfinals and will face #FRA on Friday. #onyourside http://t.co/ILWO22c1Qg
    Put it in your diaries. #GER are in the quarterfinals and will face #FRA on Friday.#onyourside pic.twitter.com/ILWO22c1Qg
  27. "When things are a bit tough we concentrate on the ball and forget"| Read the #AlJazeeraMag: http://t.co/T9WRm16E8E http://t.co/3XeaB0DdoC
    “When things are a bit tough we concentrate on the ball and forget”| Read the#AlJazeeraMag http://aje.me/magazine  pic.twitter.com/3XeaB0DdoC
  28. Why, in multi-racial Brazil, are the World Cup crowds so white?@AfricasaCountry finds the answer:  https://medium.com/matter/why-are-the-world-cup-crowds-so-white-755f3755e839 …
  29. And so it is that I find myself cheering for USA because, for a change, they’re the underdogs. #WorldCup2014
  30. Argentina's Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring the goal to propel #ARG into the last 8. - AP photo #glnrWorldCup http://t.co/CiHzmEGhsT
    Argentina’s Angel di Maria celebrates after scoring the goal to propel #ARG into the last 8. – AP photo #glnrWorldCup pic.twitter.com/CiHzmEGhsT
  31. I have the most creative fans… #WorldCup fan-generated video for#Champion. Nice work! Go USA!  http://vimeo.com/99636396 
  32. Basically, the Belgian players have been trained like little soccer automatons since they were embryos. http://grantland.com/features/world-cup-2014-belgian-national-team-vincent-kompany-eden-hazard-marouane-fellaini/ …
  33. World Cup: Brazil Uses Sex, Patriotism, Cocktails to Promote Condoms & Tests  http://ht.ly/yDSSg   http://ow.ly/i/65f0R  RT @FrontiersMag
  34. Would love Divock Origi to score — check this Kenya Citizen TV interview w his dad, who played for Harambee Stars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBmw05xB4sE …
  35. Now we know real football has arrived in the US RT @dhume Watching #BELUSA @AEI. [Don't tell Ann Coulter.] http://t.co/DYRIfz04Wo
    Now we know real football has arrived in the US RT @dhume Watching#BELUSA @AEI. [Don’t tell Ann Coulter.] pic.twitter.com/DYRIfz04Wo
  36. I have a sudden desire to see Belgium win today.
  37. Lackluster show by Amreeka so far. Someone should announce Brazil has oil to motivate them.
  38. USA and Belgium never seem to miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
  39. THE BEARDS ARE COMING! #CreepingSharia
  40. When I am one day taken hostage, disregard whatever law enforcement wants to do. Just please, please send Tim Howard in after me.
  41. Just tried to follow Tim Howard on Twitter. Got blocked.
  42. Tim Howard could’ve saved my parents’ marriage.
  43. Tim Howard playing so well he might be the fourth (maybe even third) best goalkeeper in the tournament so far.
  44. Can I do a #creepingSharia tweet for Tim Howard??
  45. Belgium 0, Tim Howard 0.
  46. FT: #BEL 0-0 #USA. Tim Howard with a man-of-the-match performance takes #USA to ET. http://t.co/Xmy0zAENRC  #USAvsBEL http://t.co/QCOdiN9jPt
    FT: #BEL 0-0 #USA. Tim Howard with a man-of-the-match performance takes#USA to ET.  http://bbc.in/1iVO6Ul  #USAvsBEL pic.twitter.com/QCOdiN9jPt
  47. Pic of the day: @Pontifex et Swiss Guard following ARG-SUI at #Brasil2014 http://t.co/mGs5kGanhr
    Pic of the day: @Pontifex et Swiss Guard following ARG-SUI at #Brasil2014pic.twitter.com/mGs5kGanhr
  48. FIFA has banned goals?
  49. An estimated 28,000 people are at Soldier Field to watch #USAvsBEL | Alex Wroblewki/Sun-Times Media http://t.co/4DR07FmnxP
    An estimated 28,000 people are at Soldier Field to watch #USAvsBEL | Alex Wroblewki/Sun-Times Media pic.twitter.com/4DR07FmnxP
  50. Wafflery. Oh mon Dieu. RT @Raheelk: Feel bad for brother@TimHowardGK Another 30 mins of Belgian wafflery to defend.
  51. 15 saves – the most saves in a world cup in half a century says this ESPN commentator about Tim Howard.
  52. De Bruyne is doing very well for an English kid that got left behind after a field trip to Ypres.
  53. My co-workers keep calling Bruyne prince Harry
  54. Free Stella Artois in Brussels tonight—
  55. Daddy, why do we burn waffles in the town square every July 1?
  56. Tim Howard has now made 16 saves today – the most by a goalkeeper in a single match in World Cup history.
  57. I am dying agahhahhahhahhhahhahhahahhaha http://t.co/F3s5SOCrPB
    I am dying agahhahhahhahhhahhahhahahhaha pic.twitter.com/F3s5SOCrPB
  58. My buddy just turned to me and said “fuck it, nobody plays this shit anyway, right? It ain’t like its fuckin baseball.”
  59. BOOOOOM! And the prayer was instantly answered! #HailMary#USA
  60. Every home needs this white foam. Put it on the Christmas list. #Brazil2014 http://t.co/AIb3mKBfkx
    Every home needs this white foam. Put it on the Christmas list. #Brazil2014pic.twitter.com/AIb3mKBfkx
  61. Fact! >RT @themacheteman: USA just start play some football.. soccer dem did a play all along
  62. Rio's iconic Christ the Redeemer is now red-and-white in honour of Canada Day http://t.co/BCLnXED3JV
    Rio’s iconic Christ the Redeemer is now red-and-white in honour of Canada Daypic.twitter.com/BCLnXED3JV
  63. Great match. Tough luck USA. But one can’t win on a goalkeeper and a late sub.
  64. If Tim Howard is not on a box of Wheaties … something is wrong America.
  65. Best World Cup Ever.
  66. Congratulations USA. Now that you know what it’s like to have your soul ripped out by a game of football, you’re in the gang.
  67. New lesson for #USA: steal more Germans for your national team. You need more Germans.
  68. Bravo, #USA. It felt super weird to start supporting you.
  69. The next American that dips a French fry in mayo is exiled.
  70. Come on USA. Do lap of honour like it is hollywood film.
  71. England, next time you lose, lose like USA.
  72. And dear Americans. It’s football. Not soccer. Just hold that thought.
  73. HISTORY: Tim Howard made 16 saves tonight, most by any keeper in a World Cup game ever. http://t.co/zYdtk3I7R4
    HISTORY: Tim Howard made 16 saves tonight, most by any keeper in a World Cup game ever. pic.twitter.com/zYdtk3I7R4
  74. All the round of 16 top seeds through to the quarters. But every match was close. This tournament is bananas.
  75. This World Cup has been thrilling and exhausting to watch. I’m relieved to get a couple of days off. Can’t imagine how the players feel.
  76. New American fans: this is what soccer is like. It kills you, and you die, and sometimes it’s beautiful, and then you do it again next week.
  77. Tim Howard has achieved true cult status. I hear he is going to run for 2016. Hillary has endorsed him. The GOP will have no candidate 1/2
  78. Twitter make dem ting yah better… Man dem seh Jesus and Howard both save… But Jesus had 11 niggas he could trust
  79. BREAKING: The whole of the USA goes back to not caring about ‘soccer’ at all.
  80. Oh shut up Pentagon you lost RT @guardian: Pentagon says growing US forces in Iraq need ‘flexibility’ for mission:  http://gu.com/p/3qtg9 
  81. Will be supporting Colombia now. They are more Brazil than the team that calls itself Brazil
  82. It is incredibly satisfying to see the rest of the world’s pity and condescension cascade toward the US
  83. As a numbers guy, I’m just hitting refresh and watching the followers on Tim Howard’s account go up crazily.
  84. Murray out at Wimbledon, TWO WHOLE FUCKING DAYS to go before more World Cup…are they trying to kill me?#armchairanarachy
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