The father of Neymar has moved to defend the Barcelona star's showboating.

The Brazilian has come in for criticism over his on-field antics, including from former Barca star Michael Laudrup.

But Neymar's father told El Mundo Deportivo: "Provocateur? It's his style. Barcelona recruited him because they wanted a player of this style and Neymar enjoys playing like that.

"I do not think we see a provocative player, it's just the opposite.

"Laudrup? Many people say that Neymar does not provoke like Simeone, like Zidane ... This is the opinion of Laudrup. He can say what he wants. Neymar came to Barcelona to play like that and if he changes his style of play he is not Neymar."