Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Neymar and Medel criticised by Claudio Bravo for stamp feud

Barcelona and Chile keeper Claudio Bravo says he told Neymar and Gary Medel to act like adults after the pair's clash around the recent Brazil against Chile friendly.

The public row followed an apparent stamp by Inter Milan midfielder Medel on Neymar's calf during Brazil's 1-0 friendly win over Chile in London during the last international break.

Neymar was clearly unhappy with the tackle, which was not deemed worthy of even a yellow card by referee Martin Atkinson, afterwards likening it to something more usually seen in UFC.

Medel responded via Twitter, accusing the Blaugrana attacker of being "theatrical," and saying such clashes formed part of football's physical side.

Bravo told a news conference after Barca training on Thursday that he had told both parties afterwards that it was time to move on and stop acting like children.

"These things should be left on the field because we're adults," the Chile captain said. "I have spoken with both of them and it has to stay on the field. There is no need to start controversies."

Barca talisman Lionel Messi had a less eventful international break, sitting out both Argentina's friendlies in the US, but Bravo said the attacker's showing at training on Thursday suggested he would be fine to face Celta Vigo on the club's return to La Liga action on Sunday.

"[Messi] looked good to me," he said. "He ran a little and worked out on the side because of the trip. The team's fine and eager for Sunday's game. We always hope everyone is healthy. It's more about the group rather than individuals."

Bravo predicted that Celta, who caused a shock by winning 1-0 at the Camp Nou in the reverse fixture in November, would again be tough opponents for the Liga leaders.

"We know that every game we play in the league can affect the standings and this Sunday we have a difficult opponent," he said. "The fact that they won at Camp Nou makes us look at it from another point of view. We have to be vigilant against Celta, but above all we must rely on our own play."

The €12 million summer signing from Real Sociedad is in line for the "Zamora" award as La Liga's best goalkeeper having kept 15 clean sheets in his first 28 Primera Division games for the Catalan club.

"I'm taking that in my stride," Bravo said. "I hope to play the best I can until the last minute of the last game. Whether I win it or not, I don't care because I want to win La Liga, the Champions League and the Spanish Cup. These are the team's goals."

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