Two separate suspensions for insulting a referee and hitting a fan, losing Brazil's captaincy and a disputed accusation of rape - the world's most expensive player had a difficult season for club and country, on and off the field. (Photo | AFP)
Two separate suspensions for insulting a referee and hitting a fan, losing Brazil's captaincy and a disputed accusation of rape - the world's most expensive player had a difficult season for club and country, on and off the field. (Photo | AFP)

From abusing ref to rape allegation: The troubled year of Brazil star Neymar

Two separate suspensions for insulting a referee and hitting a fan, losing Brazil's captaincy and a disputed accusation of rape - the world's most expensive player had a difficult season for club and country, on and off the field.
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Ballon d'Or blip: Neymar failed to make the Ballon d'Or top 10 for the first time since 2013, finishing in 12th place as midfielder Luka Modric takes the award for leading Croatia to the World Cup final. (Photo | AP)
Ballon d'Or blip: Neymar failed to make the Ballon d'Or top 10 for the first time since 2013, finishing in 12th place as midfielder Luka Modric takes the award for leading Croatia to the World Cup final. (Photo | AP)
'Pathetic diving': Despite scoring once and claiming an assist as the Brazilians qualified for the last-16 of the Russian World Cup, his  group stage campaign was marred by what many commentators call his 'pathetic' diving. (Photo | AFP)
'Pathetic diving': Despite scoring once and claiming an assist as the Brazilians qualified for the last-16 of the Russian World Cup, his group stage campaign was marred by what many commentators call his 'pathetic' diving. (Photo | AFP)
Bows out to boos: Brazil was  knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals by Belgium and Neymar was booed by the crowd watching the match on a big screen in Rio every time he rolled on the ground, becoming an internet joke. (Photo| AP)
Bows out to boos: Brazil was knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals by Belgium and Neymar was booed by the crowd watching the match on a big screen in Rio every time he rolled on the ground, becoming an internet joke. (Photo| AP)
Tax probe: Spanish tax authorities are investigating the bonus he earned when he extended his Barcelona contract in 2017. Officials are looking into whether the Brazilian paid tax related to his extra payments and his words record 222-million-euro transfer to French giants Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo | AP)
Tax probe: Spanish tax authorities are investigating the bonus he earned when he extended his Barcelona contract in 2017. Officials are looking into whether the Brazilian paid tax related to his extra payments and his words record 222-million-euro transfer to French giants Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo | AP)
Referee rage: Forced to sitout as PSG were knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester United on March 6, Neymar rained obscene language at the match officials on Instagram. He said: 'It's a disgrace. They get four guys who don't understand football to watch a slow motion replay in front of the TV.' (Photo | AP)
Referee rage: Forced to sitout as PSG were knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester United on March 6, Neymar rained obscene language at the match officials on Instagram. He said: 'It's a disgrace. They get four guys who don't understand football to watch a slow motion replay in front of the TV.' (Photo | AP)
Three-match ban: Six weeks after his referee rant on social media, Neymar was handed a three-match suspension by UEFA for his insults, ruling him out of PSG's opening fixtures in next season's European campaign. (File | AFP)
Three-match ban: Six weeks after his referee rant on social media, Neymar was handed a three-match suspension by UEFA for his insults, ruling him out of PSG's opening fixtures in next season's European campaign. (File | AFP)
Fanfare: Two days later, PSG were beaten on penalties in the French Cup final by Rennes.Neymar scored his side's second goal but lashed out a supporter while  collecting his runners-up medal at the Stade de France. He was given another ban for three games for the atrocious behaviour. (Photo | AP)
Fanfare: Two days later, PSG were beaten on penalties in the French Cup final by Rennes.Neymar scored his side's second goal but lashed out a supporter while collecting his runners-up medal at the Stade de France. He was given another ban for three games for the atrocious behaviour. (Photo | AP)
Shuns last PSG match: He headed back to Brazil to prepare for the Copa America after he claimed to have been given permission to miss the league French champions' final game of the season on May 24. However, PSG coach Thomas Tuchel later denied that he gave the forward his permission. (Photo | AP)
Shuns last PSG match: He headed back to Brazil to prepare for the Copa America after he claimed to have been given permission to miss the league French champions' final game of the season on May 24. However, PSG coach Thomas Tuchel later denied that he gave the forward his permission. (Photo | AP)
Captaincy gone: Four days later Brazil boss Tite takes the skipper's armband away from the 96-time international, and gave it Dani Alves. (Photo | AFP)
Captaincy gone: Four days later Brazil boss Tite takes the skipper's armband away from the 96-time international, and gave it Dani Alves. (Photo | AFP)
Rape allegation: According to a complaint filed with Sao Paolo police, Neymar is accused of 'using violence to have sex with the victim without her consent.' A day later Neymar denied raping the woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her at a Paris hotel, with his father claiming he is the victim of blackmail. 'I am accused of rape, it's a big word, it's very strong, but that is what has happened,' Neymar said in an Instagram video. (Photo | AFP)
Rape allegation: According to a complaint filed with Sao Paolo police, Neymar is accused of 'using violence to have sex with the victim without her consent.' A day later Neymar denied raping the woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her at a Paris hotel, with his father claiming he is the victim of blackmail. 'I am accused of rape, it's a big word, it's very strong, but that is what has happened,' Neymar said in an Instagram video. (Photo | AFP)

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