Neymar has laughed off suggestions from fans and critics that the Paris Saint-Germain star has returned for the new season overweight.
The Brazilian responded to fat-shaming fans with a post on Instagram, following reports of his laboured start to the 2021/22 campaign.
Fans of the Brazil icon were left stunned by images of the forward on holiday this summer after his nation’s Copa America final defeat to Argentine.
Neymar was pictured enjoying a break on a yacht, with many accusing him of perhaps enjoying himself a little too much and if piling on the pounds.
The 29-year-old was criticised in the French media following his recent return to action for PSG, where he has been reunited with former Barcelona strike partner Lionel Messi.
Neymar made his first appearance of the season against Reims last week – the game which saw Messi make his eagerly anticipated PSG debut.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has backed the forward after stinging criticism from French journalists, who claimed he looked ‘out of shape’ and was static throughout the match.
Neymar’s physique was again the centre of discussion after Brazil’s 1-0 victory over Chile in a World Cup qualifier on Friday.
But the forward responded with a post on Instagram, where he insisted he was merely wearing the wrong size shirt.
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Breaking his silence on the summer-long debate over his weight, Neymar explained he was wearing a ‘size G’ (a European large) for the game and insisted he is ‘at my weight’.
The PSG forward added that he would ‘ask for a medium’ in his next match, and posted a bunch of crying laughing emojis.
He also added: “Do we play well? Don’t we win? Yes!
“We keep making history.”
Neymar isn’t the first big-name player to be accused of putting on weight during the off-season, nor will he be the last.
Eden Hazard was hammered in Spain after arriving at Real Madrid following his £140million transfer looking a little heavier than usual, with the Belgian himself admitting he was not in the best of shape upon his arrival to his new club.
Gonzalo Higuain was another big star to be criticised for his weight gain throughout his loan spell at Chelsea from Juventus in 2019, where he struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.
However, PSG boss Pochettino has backed Neymar amid this latest criticism and recently insisted he has a good work ethic behind the scenes.
Speaking to The Guardian, the Argentine said: “It’s so easy with Neymar because you don’t need to do too much.
“From day one, he’s been very open to work. He’s very humble, he listens and always accepts all the instructions in a very good way.
“Brazilian players have something special inside. They love to play football because it’s like a dance. They play like they are dancing.
“Ronaldinho was my teammate when I was a PSG player and now Neymar. They need to feel good, to feel happy to perform in the best way.”
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