Neymar, the star forward for Al-Hilal, has responded sharply to recent remarks made by Manchester City midfielder Rodri about Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

Rodri, who clinched the 2024 Ballon d’Or last month after edging out Vinicius for the prestigious honor, offered some advice to the Brazilian winger earlier this week.

In his comments, Rodri suggested that Vinicius would benefit from focusing more on the game to improve as a player.

He remarked, “Vinicius is intelligent and will understand with time that paying more attention on the pitch will make him better.

He’s young and in a club like Madrid, which upholds strong values, he’ll receive good guidance.”

The comments were seen by some as constructive criticism but raised eyebrows among others, particularly Neymar, who jumped to defend his fellow Brazilian.

Taking to Instagram, Neymar wrote, “He [Rodri] became a talker now,” a pointed jab that suggests he felt Rodri’s advice was unnecessary or unwarranted.

Rodri’s words come during his recovery from a season-ending knee injury, which has kept him sidelined for Manchester City.

Despite his absence, the midfielder remains a central figure in football conversations following his stellar year that culminated in winning the Ballon d’Or.

Known for his composure and leadership on the field, Rodri’s Ballon d’Or victory is seen as a testament to his pivotal role in Manchester City’s treble-winning season, which included their first-ever Champions League triumph.

On the other hand, Vinicius Junior continues to be a key player for Real Madrid, dazzling fans with his flair and attacking prowess.

Despite narrowly missing out on the Ballon d’Or, the 23-year-old remains one of the brightest talents in football.

With the pressure of performing for one of the world’s most demanding clubs, Vinicius has faced his share of scrutiny but continues to thrive under the spotlight.