Neville accuses £122m ace in World Cup final of ‘being played like a little boy’
Gary Neville slammed France and Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele for being “played like a little boy” in the World Cup Final.
Dembele was hauled off after only 40 minutes with his side trailing to a Lionel Messi penalty and Angel Di Maria’s breakaway goal. Didier Deschamps dragged him off in humiliating fashion and brought on Randal Kolo Muani, who immediately brought more intensity and direction to France’s attack.
Dembele, who was signed by Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund for £122m in the summer of 2017, was also the one culpable for bringing down Di Maria and handing Lionel Messi the opportunity to open the scoring from the spot. And the ex- Manchester United defender did not take any prisoners when he was asked about Dembele’s display.
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"It was pathetic,' Neville said to ITV. "To be fair, Di Maria's position, his selection – well done to the Argentinian manager. Genius selection, it stretched Kounde and stretched that French team. Mac Allister has been in that pocket, Messi has played a little bit to the right hand side.
“But the penalty, I have to say, Dembele – I know he's a wide player – but honestly.
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“What he does with this initial challenge, you know what Di Maria is going to do, he's been doing this for 10 years. It's embarrassing.” While Neville did admit he felt the decision to give the penalty was a soft one, he still believes Dembele’s rash challenge, after being expertly turned by Di Maria, was naive.
“I'm torn on this one,” Neville added when asked about the penalty decision. “One, I think it's a soft penalty to give you a goal at the World Cup, but also the stupidity of that when you get wrong-sided, you almost deserve to be found out and Dembele gets found out.
“He gives Di Maria the opportunity and it's the one that's been going on for years, kick the back of one leg and kick your own leg. He's looking for it, he's experienced, he knows what he's doing, but Dembele gets played like a little boy.”
Dembele had started all but one match for the French over the course of the competition. However, he certainly endured an evening to forget for Les Bleus.
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