Neymar is a doubt for Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League first leg last -16 clash against Manchester United on February 12 at Old Trafford after suffering another ankle injury.
The Brazilian left the pitch in tears during PSG’s 2-0 win over Strasbourg in the French Cup – and was told to ‘stop blubbering’ by an opposition player.
Neymar was fouled three times in just a few seconds by the same player, Moataz Zemzemi, and responded by doing a rainbow flick over his head, but was forced off the pitch shortly after.
It’s the same foot he injured last February, with that problem ruling him out for the rest of the season, and he left the pitch crying before being taken to hospital.
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Neymar, who has 20 goals for PSG this season, is one of the most divisive players in the game – he’s is one of the world’s most popular and well-known footballers, but in France is largely hated outside of Paris.
And, after the game, Strasbourg midfielder Anthony Goncalves told the Brazilian to stop his whinging and said he had it coming due to his showboating style of playing.
“It’s Neymar’s style, but don’t come and complain when you get kicked,” he said.
“He is a great player, I respect him. He can enjoy himself but don’t come blubbering afterwards.”
PSG boss Thomas Tuchel, though, was not happy about the suggestions that Neymar’s behaviour on the pitch provoked his opponents to cause the injury.
“It was a situation where he was fouled three times, one after the other. The referee didn’t give anything. He twisted his foot,” said Tuchel.
“Neymar is worried, because it is the same foot, the same place.”
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PSG later confirmed Neymar had suffered a “reactivation of the lesion of the fifth right metatarsal”, but it remains to be seen over the new few days how serious the injury is.
Italian midfielder Marco Verratti is already a doubt for the game after picking up an ankle problem in PSG’s 9-0 win over Guingamp on Saturday.