Cani: Neymar will have problems if he keeps up playing style

Cani: Neymar will have problems if he keeps up playing style

Published Jan. 29, 2015 3:03 p.m. ET

Neymar's style of play will cause him problems for the entirety of his career, according to Atletico Madrid midfielder Cani.

Neymar scored twice in an ill-tempered affair at the Vicente Calderon as Barcelona won 3-2 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate to reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Atletico captain Gabi branded the Brazilian "irritating" after the match, claiming the 22-year-old attempts to wind up his opponents throughout games.

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And Cani has now fired a warning to the former Santos star, telling reporters on Wednesday: "He'll have problems for his whole career. Neymar has a style of play. One day he'll have a problem as he did today, but if he likes it...

"That's the way he plays."

Cani also says Gabi remains at a loss to explain why he was issued a red card following his appeals for a penalty against Jordi Alba.

"Gabi says he only said it was a penalty and a red card, that he didn't say anything else and was sent off," said the 33-year-old.

Cani made his first appearance for the Spanish champions against Barca following his loan switch from Villarreal and admits he has mixed feelings following the game.

"It was a bit bittersweet," he added. "I would have liked to win and reach the next round, but you can't choose that. I had to try to go out there and do the best I could."

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