RIO DE JANEIRO, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Former Barcelona and Real Madrid great Luis Figo said Wednesday that he empathized with Neymar following the Brazilian's altercation with a fan last weekend, but called on the Paris Saint-Germain forward to control his emotions.
Neymar faces a lengthy suspension after appearing to punch a supporter while leaving the pitch after PSG's penalty shootout loss to Rennes in the final of the Coupe de France last Saturday.
"As a player, I can understand Neymar. But I think it's a reaction that has to be repudiated," Figo told journalists during a promotional event in Rio de Janeiro.
"I understand that after an important game where you lose a title, you're upset. And you can lose your head due to provocation. It's something that should not have happened, but I understand how the situation could have led him to react like that.
Figo added: "It's not a defense, but an understanding of something that should not have happened. He may have acted without thinking. But he'll learn from his mistakes and hopefully it won't happen again."
Neymar has already been banned for the first three group matches of next season's Champions League for insulting the referee after PSG's Champions League elimination by Manchester United in March.
Figo, who won the 2000 Ballon d'Or, said the 27-year-old's chances of being voted the world's best player hinged on his ability to stay fit and lead PSG to important silverware.
"He has great quality but has had two [foot] injuries that have impacted him in recent years," the 46-year-old former Portugal winger said. "Neymar is one of the best players out there. He can win any individual title. But individual titles come with team success."
Figo also had words of praise for Real Madrid's Brazilian teenager Vinicius Junior, who is in the final stages of his recovery from an ankle injury.
The 18-year-old has made 28 first-team appearances for the Spanish giants in 2018-19 following his 45 million-euro move from Flamengo in July.
"He's had a fantastic season and before he got injured he helped Madrid overcame certain problems," Figo said. "He has been a breath of fresh air. He'll improve and given his quality he could achieve anything."
