Silva denies rift with Neymar

Thiago Silva dismissed claims he had a problem with Brazil team-mate Neymar.

Brazil defender Thiago Silva rubbished suggestions he had a problem with superstar team-mate Neymar. After a 2-0 win over Costa Rica at the World Cup, Silva said that he was "saddened" after being "insulted" by Neymar during the encounter.

However, Silva dismissed any claims there was an issue between him and the forward, as Brazil prepares for the knockout stage.

FULL COVERAGE: FIFA WORLD CUP

"There are people who talk a lot, but I have never had anything against Neymar. It's a joke that I made and the journalists talked about it badly," he told Le Parisien .

Brazil, who topped Group E in Russia, face Mexico in the round of 16 on Monday.