Barcelona’s Brazilian star Neymar is the third most fouled player in the top five European leagues. Statistics show that the group Blaugrana striker suffers an average of 3.9 fouls per game, this without not counting those not granted by the referees.
The Brazilian is surpassed only by two players from Serie A in this ranking, Pablo Barrientos (Catania), with an average of five fouls suffered per game, respectively Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), 4.2 fouls per game. Overall, however, the first suffered 45 fouls, the second 50, both less than 51 suffered by Neymar since his coming to Barcelona.
Compared to other stars from Europe, Neymar is the absolute leader. Cristiano Ronaldo suffered only an average of 1.9 fouls per game (27 in total) and Leo Messi has an averaged of 1.6 fouls per game (18 in total).
Mario Balotelli is very close to the figures of Neymar, 3.7 fouls suffered per game (33 in total), and Diego Costa has suffered as many fouls as Barcelona’s Brazilian star, 51, but has a lower average, only 3.4 fouls per game.
A very interesting statistics about fouls in this ranking represents Gareth Bale. Tottenham’s former footballer suffered three fouls in nine matches, although it is a very active player in the offensive line. Perhaps defenders in La Liga were not yet familiar with the Wales star of Real Madrid.