Neymar: Lionel Messi trumps Brazil star online despite Mexico antics

Neymar was at the centre of attention on Sunday for all the right and wrong reasons.

He scored Brazil’s opener and set up the second in the 2-0 win over Mexico, which sees Brazil through to the quarter-finals.

But he was also prone the rolling around on the floor after challenges from the Mexican defenders - something that infuriated fans across the world.

Supporters were left less than impressed by Neymar’s complaining and calling to the referee to book his opponents.

Yet his antics were not the most-talked about in the World Cup last week.

That ‘honour’ goes to Lionel Messi, whose exit from the World Cup and subsequent retirement rumours had social media ablaze.

Analysis by Express Sport from social tracking company Pulsar shows there were a staggering five million tweets regarding Messi last week, with a two million spike on Saturday when Argentina lost 4-3 to France to exit the World Cup.

Messi did not score in that last-16 game and endured a miserable time of it in Kazan.

It is not yet known if Messi will retire from international football but has has already once quit Argentina - in 2016 - only to be convinced to carry on with the national side.

As for Neymar, he generated four million tweets on social media last week, peaking like Messi on two million on the day of his match (Sunday).

Discussing the criticism that came his way after the Mexico win, Neymar said: "Look, I think it's more of an attempt to undermine me than anything else.

“I don't care much for criticism, not even from the press because in a way this can influence athletes.

"The last two matches I didn't talk to the press because there's so many people talking.

"I just want to play and I help my team-mates, I have to help my team and that's what I am here for, nothing else.

"I am here to win and I hope I can improve."

The Brazilian will likely line up to face Belgium in their quarter-final on Friday (7pm) in Kazan.

He is one of the few star faces remaining in this World Cup, with Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah all exiting the tournament early.