Alan Shearer labelled Neymar’s behaviour in Brazil’s World Cup win over Mexico ‘absolutely pathetic’ after the forward hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The Paris Saint-Germain ace showed his brilliance at times as he scored the opening goal and then set up Roberto Firmino to complete the job in Russia.

However, all the talk after the match was instead focused on his antics during a clash with Miguel Layun.

Layun appeared to step on Neymar’s leg down by the touchline and began writhing in around in agony.

It sparked widespread mockery on social media and from pundits as England legend Shearer laid into the Samba star for his theatrics.

He told the BBC: “It was absolutely pathetic. There is no doubting his ability, we saw a backheel, a finish and setting up of the second goal but it is pathetic when he is rolling around pretending to be in agony. Why does he feel the need to do that?”

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“It’s been a terrific World Cup, but the one downside is players feigning injury and the diving, it’s a big issue.”

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill, working with ITV this summer, also joined Shearer in criticising Neymar.

“I wouldn’t like to see him coming out of the doctor’s surgery after getting a flu injection,” O’Neill added. “He’s a top-quality player and he’s a top-quality actor.”

Neymar, who is now preparing to face Belgium in the quarter-finals on Friday, was adamant he had been fouled in the last-16 tie.

“It’s complicated, it’s not up to me to judge, I just feel the pain,” he explained. “It was unfair. The ball was not in play and we were off the pitch.

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Real pain? (Getty Images)

Ouch (Getty Images)

“But what are you going do? They talked too much before the match and now are going home.”

Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio thought it was a shame that Neymar’s ‘acting’ had dominated the game and set a bad example for supporters who look up to the player.

“It is a shame for football, we wasted a lot of time because of one player,” said Osorio.

“This is a game of men that is played with intensity and not with so much clowning.”

“It is a shame for all the people watching, all the children watching. There shouldn’t be acting. I think this had an impact on our pace and style.

“The game totally favoured Brazil. Too many interventions from the referee.”