Paris Saint-Germain and Brazilian football star, Neymar Jr. has called on referees officiating at the Russia 2018 World Cup to brace up in carrying out their duties by putting a stop to what he described as a rough treatment.

In Sunday’s Brazil 1-1 draw with Switzerland, Neymar became the most-fouled player in a World Cup game since 1998.

Neymar insisted that defender, Miranda was fouled in the lead up to Switzerland’s equalizer to deny Brazil victory in their opening game at the World Cup, urging referees to offer better protection after he faced some rough treatment in Rostov-on-Don.

Steven Zuber appeared to have pushed Miranda before heading home a second-half goal that saw Tite’s side held 1-1 in a Group E clash at the Rostov Arena.

The Selecao coach was adamant Switzerland’s goal should have been ruled out by referee Cesar Ramos, and Neymar agreed with that assessment.  

“I guess it was foul. When you see the moment on replay, people celebrating the goal… I was seeing it again but it’s not for me to talk about it, there are four professionals working for that. They have to do their job.

“We didn’t deserve to end with a draw. But we can improve, we can play better. But it was a match to show us that it won’t be easy,” Neymar said.

Playing in his first competitive fixture since suffering a broken metatarsal in February, Neymar  was seen limping at various moments in the heated encounter with the Swiss side but the 26-year-old assuaged fears he had suffered another fitness problem

“I was hit and it was aching, but nothing to worry… after your body is cold, it aches a little more but that’s ok,” he added.

According to Opta, Neymar became the most fouled player in a World Cup game since England’s Alan Shearer against Tunisia in 1998. The Selecao striker was illegally halted by Switzerland 10 times throughout the game.