Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique has claimed that Neymar's skills should be admired instead of criticised.
The Brazil international began showboating towards the end of Barca's 5-1 thrashing of newly-promoted Leganes on Saturday, an act slammed by former Blaugrana and Real Madrid midfielder Michael Laudrup.
"Ney has his own style, a style I think is spectacular for football. We enjoy it a lot at Barcelona," Enrique said on the eve of Wednesday's 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 penchant for showboating has led to clashes with opponents in the past, most notably against Athletic Bilbao in the 2015 Copa del Rey final.
Giuseppe Labellarte
