On Tuesday afternoon, Barcelona published an official statement on their website confirming the commencement of legal proceedings against Neymar.

The 25-year-old forward recently joined PSG in a world record deal after the French club triggered his €222m release clause.

Speaking after his Man of the Match performance against Toulouse on Sunday night, Neymar had some harsh words for the Barcelona board.

The club failed to convince the Brazilian superstar to stay and the fallout - in the public eye - has been pretty ugly.

"I spent four beautiful years there and parted happy," said Neymar. "But with them [the board], no.

"For me, they are not the people who should be there, for the direction of Barca. Barca deserve much better."

Barcelona are refusing to pay the €26m loyalty bonus which the former Santos wonderkid believes he is owed.

On the pitch, based solely on Neymar's first two appearances in France, PSG appear certain to reclaim the Ligue 1 title from Monaco.

Barcelona today released a statement on their website confirming their desire to sue Neymar for breaching his contract.

They believe they are now owed his €8.5m renewal bonus, which he was paid upon signing his new contract in 2016.

The statement on Barcelona's website reads as follows:

"FC Barcelona has sent the Spanish Football Federation the labour lawsuit against Neymar Jr they submitted on 11 August at the Labour Tribunal in Barcelona so that they can pass it on to the appropriate authorities in the French Football Federation and FIFA.

"In the lawsuit, the Club demands the player return the already paid sum for his contract renewal as he has not completed his contract; 8.5 million euros in damages; and an additional 10% because of delayed payment. The Club also requests Paris Saint-Germain take on responsibility for the payment of these fees if the player cannot do so himself.

"FC Barcelona has started these proceedings to protect its interests following Neymar’s decision to buy out his contract just months after he signed an extension until 2021. This legal defence will be carried out following the established procedures with the competent authorities without entering into any verbal arguments with the player."

The Barcelona board, who have come under heavy criticism in recent weeks, clearly have no intention of maintaining an amicable relationship with their former darling.