Neymar answers critics with poker-themed celebration

Neymar responded to criticism over his appearance at a poker tournament in the best way he knew how -- by scoring twice for Santos before mocking his detractors with a card-dealing goal celebration.

The 34-year-old forward struck twice in Santos' 2-2 Brazilian Serie A draw against Chapecoense on Saturday, opening the scoring before converting a late penalty to rescue a point. 

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After his first goal, Neymar mimed dealing playing cards, an unmistakable reference to the backlash he received earlier this week. 

The controversy began after Neymar was seen competing in the BSOP Winter poker tournament in Sao Paulo while Santos were away in Venezuela for a Copa Sudamericana play-off against Universidad Central. 

Although Santos won the match 4-1, images of their biggest star at the poker table prompted criticism from fans and pundits. 

However, Santos insisted Neymar had not skipped the trip to play poker. Coach Cuca said the club deliberately kept the Brazilian in Sao Paulo to continue an individual fitness programme after his injury-hit spell, with the demanding journey to Venezuela offering little benefit.

Neymar trained with the squad before attending the tournament and was on a scheduled day off the following day. 

Neymar also defended himself on social media.

"I worked in the morning, I didn't go to the match, I returned to training. I was on a day off," he said.

He then delivered a blunt message to his critics: "Mind your own business." 

The match marked Neymar's return to domestic action following Brazil's World Cup campaign and several weeks of carefully managed rehabilitation. His comeback was not entirely trouble-free, though, as he picked up his third yellow card of the Brazilian league season, ruling him out of Santos' next league fixture through suspension.