Neymar spoke out on Sunday about the controversy surrounding his transfer fee and how he came to join Barcelona last summer, a storm whose consequences have included the resignation of Sandro Rosell and significant damage to the image of his family, particularly his father. The Brazilian, however, praised his dad in an open letter, while lashing out at the "fake friends" in his life.

"I'm sorry, father, but this time, for the first time, I'm going to disobey you – I have to speak out. I wanted to thank you for the way you have overseen my career It's thanks to you I played for the team in my heart, Santos FC, and I am now at my dream team, FC Barcelona", he posted on Instagram.

On the other hand, Neymar hit out at those who have tried to drag his family's name through the mud. "I know a lot of people are coming out with a load of rubbish about us, questioning our character I've also discovered that we have a huge amount of fake friends Father, when Thiago Silva said that he would die for me on the pitch, I felt the same but now I know that I would give my only son's life for you. So I'm asking you to come back to Spain, I miss you. I'm playing again in a few days and I need you here. It's only a matter of time before people realise that you did nothing wrong. You were just being my father through and through. I love you and we are in this together".