Neymar SUES journalist who accused him of being 'addicted to whiskey'

Neymar is taking legal action after being accused of an 'addiction to whisky and energy drinks' along with unprofessional 'late-night gaming sessions'.

The 33-year-old Brazil and Santos star's representatives, NR Sports, publicly responded to what they call 'reckless, defamatory, slanderous and false' accusations by journalist Rodolfo Gomes.

Gomes had posted a video on his channel called Futeboteco, in which he said: 'He ’s hooked on whisky with energy drinks, smokes shisha, and only goes to bed at 4:00-5:00am in the morning…'

He added that Neymar won't play again this year and claims that Neymar's alleged late-night habits are having an impact on his team-mates.

Gomes says training sessions have been pushed back in order for the ex-Barcelona and PSG forward to attend.

He also claims that new Santos boss Juan Pablo Vojvoda is thinking about moving training to an earlier time, in order to 'indirectly expose' the issue.

Gomes' claims were repeated by other Brazilian publications, causing a media storm around Neymar, who is never far from the spotlight.

His representatives did not take long to hit back, stating: 'All civil and criminal legal measures are being taken to hold those involved accountable.'

The player himself appeared to make light of the accusations on his own social media page.

On his Instagram story, he shared a picture of an energy drink can, along with the caption: 'ADDICTED to Red Bull. That one’s great', followed by a winking emoji.

Neymar is currently sidelined with yet another muscle problem in what has been an injury-plagued career.

During Santos training on September 18 he suffered a grade two tear in his quadriceps and is expected to be out of action until November.

He broke his foot and tore ligaments in his ankle at PSG, tore his ACL while at Al-Hilal and is already listed as having three separate muscle injuries at Santos.

He returned to his boyhood club last year but so far it has been a chaotic comeback.

In August, the club's ultras angrily confronted Neymar and the entire squad outside the training ground after a 6-0 defeat that had left the forward in tears.

The assembled squad were told: 'What's happening on the pitch is not enough.'

ESPN Brazil also report that the players were threatened with violence at the CT Rei Pele facility, adding that Neymar told the ultras they are 'trying to change things'.

'I'm ashamed,' Neymar said. 'I'm totally disappointed with our performance.

'The fans have every right to protest, obviously without using violence... but if they want to curse and insult, they're in their right.'

'It's a feeling of extreme shame. I've never experienced this in my life. Unfortunately, it happened.

'The tears were from anger, from everything. Unfortunately, I can't help in every way. Anyway, it was total s***, that's the reality.'

Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, has not played for the Selecao since suffering a devastating knee ligament injury against Uruguay in October 2023 that ruled him out for a year.

New Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti recently told L'Equipe: 'A national team needs to have the most talented players. It is obvious, right? But a talented player also needs to be physically fit.

'He needs to be 100 per cent, not 80 per cent. Neymar is improving his fitness. He is undoubtedly the most talented Brazilian player.

'But I want him to be in perfect shape so he can play. He can participate in the World Cup if he is physically fit. From a technical standpoint, there is no debate.'