Real Madrid defender Pepe takes a dig at Barcelona's Neymar over who is La Liga's true 'bad boy'

Real Madrid centre-back Pepe has taken a dig at Neymar after pointing out that the Barcelona star has seen more yellow cards than him this campaign. The Portuguese international has hit back at critics who claim he is a violent player, while adding that should he had acted as "crazy" as some have suggested, Los Blancos would have parted ways with him as they are an "exemplary club."

Neymar has been under fire in recent days after displaying a dramatic dip in form during the second part of the season. Catalan publication La Vanguardia also revealed, earlier this month, that officials at Barcelona are growing concerned about the star player's 'Brazilian' style of life outside of the pitch.

The former Santos star gave more ammunition to his critics earlier this week after taking advantage of the two days off handed by Barcelona manager Luis Enrique to attend to the PFA Awards after party, being photographed leaving London nightclub Libertine on Monday morning.

Pepe has now joined the critics after dismissing speculations that state he is a violent player, by claiming that the Barcelona star has been booked more times than him this season.

"The people can say what they want, but fact remains that Neymar has been booked more often than me," Pepe told French magazine Surface. "Real Madrid are an exemplary club. I would never have had the chance to play for this club for such a long period had I really been such a crazy, violent player."

Pepe came under scrutiny during his first years at Real Madrid for his bad boy antics, after receiving a 10-game ban in the 2008-2009 campaign for kicking Getafe midfielder Javier Casquero. The Portuguese was also single out in the number of ill-tempered El Clasico encounters between Barcelona and Real Madrid during the reign of Jose Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Yet, the centre-back has managed to control his behaviour in recent times and this season has only seen Pepe pick up five yellow cards in 20 La Liga appearances, with Neymar having received one more than him. Pepe, furthermore, has not seen a red card since the 2011-2012 campaign.