Who is the most fouled player in Spain?

Barcelona Neymar is La Liga’s most-fouled player this season, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

The 21-year-old, who joined Barcelona from Brazilian outfit Santos during the summer for a reported fee of £48.6 million, has been fouled on 32 occasions so far this season already.

That number puts Neymar just ahead of compatriot and Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa – who has been fouled 31 times – and Real Madrid midfielder Isco (27).

Neymar’s figure may ease some of the pressure he has been feeling, after an underwhelming start to his Camp Nou career that has yielded two goals in seven appearances in the league.

Jose Edmilson, a fellow Brazilian, who played for Barcelona between 2004-08, admitted that Neymar, who has a reputation for simulation, did dive, though not as often as he used to.

“Neymar dived a lot in Brazil,” Edmilson said. “He still dives some, but in most cases, the defenders tackle him late. Every time he gets tackled, he really gets tackled, and Neymar wants to get back at defenders more and more.”

“I knew you would ask me about Mourinho’s comments,” he told Esports COPE. “He also said that Messi dived against Chelsea. Neymar and Messi are players of small build and defenders foul those types of players when they cannot mark them”, he said regarding the two Barcelona stars’ playing style.