Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone defends Barcelona star
Tuesday 20 September 2016 16:17, UK
Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique insists Neymar's skills should be enjoyed rather than criticised after the Brazil international's penchant for showboating came under scrutiny once again.
Former Barca and Real Madrid midfielder Michael Laudrup slammed Neymar for displaying his full repertoire of tricks towards the end of Barca's 5-1 thrashing of newly-promoted Leganes on Saturday.
"Ney has his own style, a style I think is spectacular for football. We enjoy it a lot at Barcelona," Luis Enrique said on the eve of Wednesday's blockbuster La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid.
"There are many players that interpret football like that. It is a cultural thing more common in South American and particularly Brazilian players.
"It is something that shouldn't surprise anyone in Spanish football. He has been doing it since he got here."
Neymar's style has led to ill-tempered clashes with opponents in the past, most notably against Athletic Bilbao in the 2015 Copa del Rey final.
Ahead of his side's trip to the Nou Camp, though, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone jumped to Neymar's defence, insisting he is a big admirer of the 24-year-old.
"Everybody has their own style and way of playing. He is a player I love," he said.
"They have criticised him, but he enjoys himself, he dances, he sings and he destroys you. They can keep criticising, but he keeps responding as he has to."
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