Frank Leboeuf lambasts Neymar for comments about proving himself to Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti

Frank Leboeuf has lambasted Neymar Jr for his comments about not needing to prove himself to Brazil's newly appointed coach, Carlo Ancelotti. The Brazilian player responded to reporters asking him about Ancelotti's staff observing his performances.

Frank Leboeuf angry on Neymar's arrogance

On August 5, Neymar delivered an excellent performance for Santos, as he scored a brace in their 3-1 win against Juventude in the Brazilian Serie A. Fans praised his performance, with the football world looking forward to his return to the Selecao soon. During the match, three members from coach Carlo Ancelotti's staff members were present to watch Neymar's performances. After the game, reporters asked Neymar his opinion about Ancelotti's staff members watching him and whether they would be impressed.

"I don't need to prove anything to anyone," the Santos superstar responded in the post-match press conference.

In a conversation with ESPN FC, Frank LeBouef lambasted Neymar for his comments, advising him to be more humble. He said:

"Of course, he has [a point to prove]. I think his comment was very condescending. I was watching footage of him when he played in Brazil and when he played for Barcelona. That was amazing. That guy was simply an exception. But how long has it been since we have seen that? It’s been four or maybe five years. When he came to PSG, the first year was quite okay, but that wasn’t the man we saw in Barcelona."

LeBouef lambasted further added:

"Since then, we saw injuries we saw drama, we saw comments, but we didn’t see performances. So yes, you have to prove [yourself again], especially when we’re talking about Carlo Ancelotti. He should have shown a little bit more humility towards the capacity of what Ancelotti can bring to him."

"Ancelotti made the effort to not say, ‘It’s over for Neymar, I don’t want to see him anymore. He’s part of the past, let’s look at the future’. Ancelotti takes care of him and he makes that comment, come on."

Neymar Jr was last seen playing for Brazil in October 2023 in a World Cup qualifying game against Uruguay. During the game, he suffered an ACL injury that restricted him from the pitch for a year. Since returning and joining Santos, he has continued to pick minor injuries.