Neymar calls Barcelona prez Bartomeu a 'joke'

In interviews with Catalan newspapers Mundo Deportivo and Sport, Bartomeu claimed Barca would be better off without Neymar this season following his world record 222 million euro (263.7 million) move to Paris Saint-Germain.

With Bartomeu's handling of Barca's haphazard transfer policy being heavily criticised, he described the loss of Neymar as an "opportunity" for Barca to rebuild their midfield rather than pile resources into a superstar front three of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. "The trident was very good but it had its consequences," Bartomeu told Sport.

"It is an opportunity to return to the collective football in the middle of the field, which traditionally was Barca's strength. It is an opportunity, with a new coach, a new project. We need to stop being pessimistic!"

Bartomeu also criticised Neymar and his father and agent Neymar Sr's exit strategy.

"This president is a joke," Neymar replied in a comment about the news on social media site Instagram.

A vote of no confidence motion has been launched by former Barca presidential candidate Agusti Benedito that could oust Bartomeu if it receives enough support from the club's members in the coming weeks. Neymar's departure sparked a shopping spree from Barca, who landed 20-year-old French winger Ousmane Dembele for an initial 105 million euro fee from Borussia Dortmund and Paulinho for 40 million from Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande.

Barca missed out on a host of other targets, including Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho, blaming the rampant inflation in the transfer market caused by PSG and Abu Dhabi- backed Manchester City.