'Neymar is indefensible' - Santos star brutally told he 'doesn't take football seriously' after missing Corinthians clash following trip to Rio Carnival

Neymar was not involved in Santos' 2-1 loss to Corinthians in the semi-finals of the Campeonato Paulista on Sunday, days on from being spotted with his pregnant partner Bruna Biancardi at the famous carnival. Santos boss Pedro Caixinha said the 33-year-old had a "thigh problem" for the cup game but journalist Renato Mauricio Prado has slammed the Brazilian's actions.

Prado said on AOL: "Neymar is indefensible, he doesn't take football seriously. The injury didn't stop him from going to the carnival. When he returns to Santos, Neymar is accompanied by two crucial doubts: how his physique will react after such a long period without playing so often, and how he will behave professionally after such a resounding sporting failure in Saudi Arabia."

Danielo Lavieri added: "Everyone remembers the number 10's trip to the Sapucaí carnival. Even if he wasn't fit to play, is it normal for him to go partying and not give priority to his treatment?"

Neymar is looking to reignite his career at Santos after having his contract at Al-Hilal cancelled earlier this year in what was, arguably, one of the most disastrous transfer moves of all time. And it seems criticism is still following the ex-Barcelona man for his actions.

Neymar will look to recover from this thigh injury when his Santos side take on Vasco da Gama on March 30 for the start of the new Serie A season in Brazil.