Neymar blasts off-the-field critics

Barcelona forward Neymar has blasted the journalists that continue to question his life away from football.

The 24-year-old is often pictured unwinding with his celebrity friends and his conduct away from the pitch has been the subject of criticism by a number of journalists in Spain and his native Brazil.

Neymar, who will represent Brazil at the 2016 Olympic Games, has said that he will always welcome questions about his form on the field, but wants his 'private life left private'.

"I think you have to start looking at what I do on the pitch, the private stuff, what happens elsewhere, is just that - private. You can ask anything you want off me on the pitch, for example the issue about yellow cards, I don't have any problem with that," Neymar told reporters.

"But I have my private life, I am a kid of 24 years of age, still young, I have achieved things and I am not worried about it. You can criticise me, I'm far from perfect and I make mistakes. I like to go out with friends and have a good time, I have friends and family, why can't I go out? There is no reason not to, I'm free to go out and I plan to keep doing so."

Neymar has scored 46 goals in 70 appearances for the Brazilian national team. Only Pele, Ronaldo, Romario and Zico have netted more times for the South American nation.