Neymar Slammed by Rivelino After Brazil's Exit from 2016 Copa America

Former Brazil international Rivelino has criticised Selecao captain Neymar, blasting the lifestyle and attitude of the Barcelona player.

After the team’s exit from the Copa America Centenario recently, Neymar reacted angrily to criticism of the efforts of the team, posting on his Instagram there is a “whole lot of people talking s--t,“ per Aaron Torres of Fox Sports. He later apologised for the comments, as noted by Sport.

Rivelino was asked about the Barcelona man, who was not involved in the Copa with a view to being sharp for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and he did not hold back, labelling him an "idiot" per Sport:

"

He's a public figure, an idol, and I think it would've been better [for him] to shut up. He lost a good opportunity to be quiet.

It's something that will mark his career, it's not good for him. He's an excellent player but I think his concern is to be on the pitch.

It seems that sometimes he gives more importance to what happens off the field—that’s worrying and cannot be forgiven.

He's the biggest fool of this story.

He hasn't won anything [for Brazil], he hasn't given joy to the people and should talk less. First make history, try to give Brazil a title and then you can complain.

"

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Neymar is a figure that’s never been shy in flaunting his flamboyant lifestyle away from the field. As reported by Thomas Bristow of the Daily Mirror, while Brazil’s exit from the tournament was confirmed following a 1-0 defeat to Peru, the forward had no issues revealing he was enjoying a party with models.

Here’s the clip in question from the player’s official Instagram account:

Earlier this month, the 24-year-old was snapped enjoying a night out in New York, per Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror, while he was also captured hitting some nightspots in London back in April, per the Daily Mirror.

Rivelino is not the only former Brazil star to call out Neymar either. Selecao icon Pele accused the forward of not being a team player last year when speaking to Placar (h/t Adam Skinner of the Daily Express). After Neymar was sent off against Colombia at last summer’s Copa, Ronaldo also had some harsh words for the star when speaking to Globo (h/t Peter McVitie of Goal).

CHRISTOPHE SIMON/Getty Images

To lambast his lifestyle seems a little harsh, though. After all, the Barcelona man has just come to the end of another outstanding season with his club, helping the team win La Liga and the Copa del Rey. They may not have been able to clinch a treble like 2014-15, but it’s still a wonderful achievement for the Blaugrana and one Neymar played a vital role in.

Having posted numbers likes these alongside his team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, he is surely entitled to some downtime, per Bleacher Report UK:

As the captain of the national team, Neymar will feel strongly about what goes on when Brazil take to the field, so it’s understandable that he’s become a little frustrated watching on from the sidelines.

It’s a frustration many Brazilians will want to see him channel in the right way at the Olympics. Should Neymar return to action unburdened as a result of his recent time off, then they’ll have a brilliant chance of winning the gold medal on home soil. Anything less, and his extravagant antics away from the field and his expletive social media posts will be used as sticks to beat him with.