The Brazilian star posted a photo on Twitter of himself in his shorts, sitting on the wheelchair with a quote from the physicist. The photo appeared to mock Stephen Hawking's disability.
“You have to have a positive attitude and get the best out of the situation you are in” the tweet, when originally translated from Portuguese read.
Following the tweet, social media went berserk as twitterati slammed the 26-year-old for his insensitive and offensive post.
Neymar recently went through a successful surgery in Brazil on his injured right leg after he suffered a fractured metatarsal and a sprained ankle during the clash against Marseille last month. Neymar is expected to miss out the remainder of the season. Though the medical staff is hopeful that he will be ready to return for Brazil in the FIFA World Cup starting in Russia on June 14.