Argentina played out a draw against Brazil in Tuesday night’s World Cup qualification showdown in South America but there was one notable absentee.
While Lionel Messi played the entire 90 minutes of the encounter despite fitness concerns, his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar was not involved in the clash.
It was later revealed that the forward missed the clash due to an adductor injury, despite not appearing to have any issue during the 1-0 win over Colombia four days earlier.
Neymar played the entirety of that encounter – which clinched Brazil’s qualification for next year’s finals in Qatar with six matches to spare in their campaign.
The forward was jubilant at full-time, even donning a cowboy hat in the celebrations on the pitch after the result was secured.
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It was subsequently outlined by Brazilian media outlet Globo that Neymar spent the weekend partying at the bar Santo Cupido, in Sao Paulo, alongside a number of high-profile Brazilian figures.
That led to an impassioned rant on Brazilian TV programme Os donos da bola following Tuesday night’s draw in Argentina.
The presenter Neto lambasted Neymar for his decision not to play in the encounter, claiming that he could have played through the pain barrier.
Neto said: "Neymar has adductor pain. With adductor pain you can play. With muscle pain you can play. With a metatarsal problem you can play. I broke mine, and it is possible to play.
"Neymar was released after the match against Colombia, in which he could have been sent off.
"He cursed in the referee's face, he fought with Cuadrado, he fought with everyone.
"He was not sent off, he was given a yellow, but he tempted the possibility of the expulsion."
The presenter then focused on Neymar’s decision to go partying in Sao Paulo after the win over Colombia, identifying this as the reason for his injury.
He added: "Neymar has the right to leave if it were a day off, but there is a match on Tuesday against Argentina – there needs to be responsibility
"He had a day off on Saturday and Sunday, and he shows up on Monday saying that he has pain in his adductor?
"The first thing he should have done when the game is over is to rest up and relax.
"What did Neymar do? He went at night to the bar where all the famous people go.
"Is this the player who represents Brazil?
"Why does he have pain in the adductor for the game against Argentina? The adductor is here (he gestures to his leg).
"What he danced after the game with a cowboy hat is an impressive thing. Anyone who has a pain in the adductor or muscle pain does not dance like that."
Neymar recently hit back at critics of his partying lifestyle, insisting that this was a balance with his work ethic on the training pitch.
Last month, Neymar told the Fui Clear YouTube channel : "I speak about respect because people say: 'Ah, Neymar doesn't take care of himself, Neymar is this, Neymar is that'.
"How can one be 12 years at the top without taking care of himself? Nobody gets that.
"I know how to take care of myself, I have a physical therapist and a physical trainer practically 24 hours with me, for what? Nothing?
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"I go out when I can. I go out when it is possible, when I know that I will not be training the next day. I will not stop doing anything. What is the problem with that?
"You have to judge me for what I do on the pitch; there is where I will allow you to speak about me, but not what I do outside of that."
Neymar will now return to Paris with his club side where he will continue to be assessed ahead of his side’s home clash against Nantes in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
