Topics: Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar Jr, Neymar Sr
The Brazilian forward's guardian sees the act as a mere defensive mechanism.

Neymar Sr, the father and agent of Neymar Jr, has described the theatricals of his PSG star as a 'tactic' rather than a dive. The Brazilian superstar has gained notoriety for exaggerating falls and the degree of suffering when kicked in recent times.

One such instance was at last summer's FIFA World Cup where an inspiring performance by the 27-year-old forward was marred by recurrent videos and memes of his on-the-floor antics. Despite being subjected to substantial mimicry, the former Barcelona star is yet to fully deter from the art. 

Nonetheless, the father of Neymar Jr has revealed that his son's propensity to jump into the air before getting into contact with the foot of opposition is almost instinctive as he has used the trick to escape fouls since his days as a youth player.

Speaking to SporTV as per ESPN, he said: "They call it diving and simulation. He doesn't dive, it's a tactic that he's used since the academy since he became a professional.

"I told him, every dispute for the ball you enter into, you will lose, but if you arrive before, yes. If you see you will receive a hit, jump into the air. You can take a barbecue skewer, throw it high, then take a sledgehammer and hit it in the middle, and it won't break. But keep it on the ground and any touch will break it.

"I had to give this warning to my son that he was not going to win [physical challenges], so he needed to be smart on the pitch until he was mature enough to fight. And this talk of him diving is wrong," he added.

"I'm not criticizing those who say he is diving or not, I am saying that the referee has to have an understanding not to restrain certain things, to know if it is or isn't simulation."

Neymar Jr is currently on the treatment table after a crunchy encounter against Strasbourg ended with the PSG superstar injuring his metatarsal.