“Neymar is the Justin Bieber of football. Brilliant on the old YouTube. Cat piss in reality.”
– Joseph Barton, 2013
That tweet is a certain inclusion when the greatest hits of Twitter is inevitably released.
Barton didn’t rate the Barcelona forward whatsoever three years ago but we assume he’s been won round a little bit by the Brazilian considering the fact that he’s since gone on to score 91 times for his club in 152 appearances.
But that didn’t stop Barton, who remains suspended by Rangers for his part in a training ground row, from having another little dig at the 24-year-old during Barcelona’s defeat at Manchester City on Tuesday night.
Neymar set up Lionel Messi for the game’s opener but had a much quieter second half and Barton felt it appropriate to wonder out loud what had happened.
Still unsure as to why Neymar went off at HT? Anyone know why? 🤔😳
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) November 1, 2016
As was to be expected, his mentions were awash with all sorts of abuse.
Some had a pop at Barton’s upcoming hearing with the SFA, who charged the midfielder with placing 44 bets on football matches.
@Joey7Barton you have a bet on him Joey boy? #suspended
— Ronan Kearney (@RonanKearney1) November 1, 2016
@Joey7Barton you have him as next goal scorer?
— Scott Delaney (@Scott_delaney15) November 1, 2016
@Joey7Barton He had to put some bets on
— Crash Blandycoot (@blandy_son) November 1, 2016
@Joey7Barton he’s been caught betting on Scottish Football games mate
— Rhys Jones (@rhysj3) November 1, 2016
Others were curious why the Rangers man wasn’t tuned in to Celtic’s game against Borussia Monchengladbach.
@Joey7Barton not watching Celtic mate?
— UinsionnMac (@Vin_Foley) November 1, 2016
@Joey7Barton Shouldn’t you be watching the Celtic game Joseph? Might get some tips on how to extricate yourself from Scott Brown’s pocket.
— Iain Harrison (@IainBHarrison) November 1, 2016
@Joey7Barton just like u at parkhead
— Robert Doherty (@robertdoherty32) November 1, 2016
Barton’s previous with Neymar was not forgotten.
@Joey7Barton only good on youtube mate
— Jamie mak (@bettingjunkie1) November 1, 2016
@Joey7Barton because he’s good on the old youtube and cat piss in reality
— Shanta Firmino (@Coppin_LFC) November 1, 2016
@Joey7Barton ‘cat piss in reality’
— Morgan (@MorganHTAFC) November 1, 2016
But the vast majority just wanted to express the opinion that Neymar is perhaps the superior player.
@Joey7Barton to be fair, he’s about 40x the player you are & has achieved so so much more #pipedown
— N James (@nevjamo) November 1, 2016
@Joey7Barton Neymar’s toe nail is worth more than you ???
— #FreeGabigol (@BrazilEdition) November 1, 2016
@Joey7Barton does it matter? He’s “indefinitely” better than you.
— Gary (@Gaz7Mac) November 1, 2016
@Joey7Barton he’s about a million times better than you’ll ever be, so calm it down mate
— Jack Osmotherley (@jackosmo99) November 1, 2016
@Joey7Barton he’s had a poor game, and it’s still a better performance then you’ve ever had ?? #Bitter
— Jordan Flynn (@JordanFlynn91) November 1, 2016
Tyrone footballer Cathal McCarron chats to Colm Parkinson about the gambling addiction he battled to escape Subscribe here on iTunes
