Neymar, the Brazilian football star, has recently expressed his frustration over media scrutiny regarding his leisure activities. The 34-year-old player faced backlash after being seen playing poker during his day off, which he claims was sanctioned by his coaching staff.

In a statement, Neymar emphasized that he adheres to a rigorous training schedule and does not neglect his duties to the team. He stated, "I was preparing for the second training session of the day when I remembered that people were still talking about me playing a bit of poker on my day off. I don’t know what else they were saying."

The controversy arose after images of Neymar participating in a high-stakes poker tournament in São Paulo sparked public outrage. Many fans of Santos, his current club, felt that his actions contradicted the reasons for his presence on the team, especially considering the club's reliance on its star player.

This is not the first time Neymar has found himself at the center of off-field controversies. Since his return to Santos, he has frequently faced immense pressure regarding his performance, fitness, and personal life. Neymar reiterated that he takes his professional responsibilities seriously and does not allow off-field matters to impact his performance or preparation.

As the media continues to focus on his personal life, Neymar urges a shift in attention back to his commitment to training and contributing to his team's success.