I've shut my critics up, says Neymar

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 21 (IANS) Brazil football superstar Neymar labelled winning Rio Olympic gold as one of the "best things" of his life as he hit back at critics following Brazil's dramatic win over Germany here in the final.

The forward scored from a free-kick as the match finished 1-1 in regulation time and sealed Brazil's first Olympic football gold with the winning penalty in a 5-4 shoot-out victory here on Saturday.

Max Meyer had cancelled out Neymar's opener to force a shoot-out, in which Germany's Nils Petersen had his spot-kick saved by goalkeeper Weverton. Brzil scored in all of their penalty kicks.

Neymar said it was an unforgettable moment after sending the Maracana Stadium into raptures on Saturday.

"This is one of the best things that have happened in my life. That's it. Now my critics will have to shut up," Neymar was quoted as saying by goal.com after the win on Saturday.

"I can't begin to describe my feelings. I have fulfilled my dream and to have fulfilled it in my home country makes me very proud."

All the talk in the lead up was about the 2014 World Cup semi-final, in which Germany humiliated a Brazil side, missing the injured Neymar, 7-1 in Belo Horizonte.

Weverton was full of praise for Neymar, saying, "God has blessed me. The gold is ours, but it belongs to God."

"I told Neymar that God had given him a second chance. God loves Neymar like he loves all of this team."

--IANS

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