Joey Barton has branded Thiago Silva a "fat boy" following the Brazilian's recent response to the Marseille midfielder's views on his Brazil teammates.

Santos striker Neymar in particular was a victim of Barton's criticism, having likened the teenager to pop singer Justin Bieber.

Those comments resulted in this response by Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil defender Silva, who was talking to L'Equipe: "I can hear a lot of people criticise the [Brazilian squad]. There is even a Marseille player, I cannot remember his name, an Englishman, who has said bad things about Neymar and Brazilian football, and also about [David] Beckham and [Zlatan Ibrahimovic].

"As no-one is talking about him, it seems fun to him to criticise great players for people to know he exists. That person must never forget on Auriverde [gold and green] shirt there is more stars than on any other shirt. Five World Cups. That deserves some respect.

"But it gives me much more desire to win to silence that Englishman. What does he know about Brazilian football? I don't remember having played against him in the national team."

That prompted a reaction from the former England international Barton, who said on Twitter: "Thiago Silva. That the same p***y thats been injured all season. Another over rated Brazilian. Sort your hamstrings out fat boy."

Barton's loan spell with Marseille from Queens Park Rangers is due to expire in the summer.