Neymar angered PSG by prioritizing watching F1 over celebrating the Ligue 1 championship with the team.
On May 27, six injured players accompanied PSG to a trip to Strasbourg. Afterwards, they celebrated winning the Ligue 1 title in the dressing room. Neymar was the only injured player who did not travel with the team.
According to coach Christophe Galtier, Neymar "had problems moving" due to a ligament injury he suffered in March. But the day after the draw with Strasbourg, the Brazilian striker unexpectedly showed up in Monaco to watch the F1 race there. The distance from Paris to Monaco is 953 km, twice as long as to Strasbourg.
Neymar (in white shirt) takes a photo with actor Tom Holland and the Red Bull racing team in Monaco on May 28. Photo: Red Bull
Neymar's trip is causing anger among the club's leadership. They consider this a provocative act by "number 10". Meanwhile, Neymar's side believes that he has no obligation to travel with the club while injured.
According to L'Équipe , the conflict between Neymar and PSG has reached a point where it is difficult to mend. Last year, Neymar refused to leave and activated the contract extension clause until 2027. But now, the situation has changed. Neymar is ready to leave and the club is also looking to sell.
Neymar is currently earning $4 million a month. To move to another club, the 31-year-old striker may have to take a pay cut. According to L'Équipe , Man City coach Pep Guardiola has called Neymar. Two other English teams, Chelsea and Man Utd, have also expressed interest. In an interview on May 24, Man Utd coach Erik Ten Hag also left open the possibility of buying Neymar.
Neymar joined PSG from Barca in 2017 for a record fee of $263 million. During his six years in France, the 31-year-old striker won five Ligue 1 titles, three French Cups, two French League Cups and three French Super Cups. Neymar and his teammates reached the 2019-2020 Champions League final, but lost 0-1 to Bayern.
PSG is likely to part ways with another star, Lionel Messi, in the summer transfer window. The Argentine striker's contract only expires in June 2023. According to L'Équipe , Messi could return to Barca, the US or Saudi Arabia. The only star who is certain to stay at PSG is Mbappe. On May 28, the French striker affirmed that he will respect his signed contract until 2025.
PSG won Ligue 1 with 85 points after 37 games. Messi and his teammates are four points ahead of second-placed Lens with a game to go. On June 3, after hosting Clermont, PSG players will lift Ligue 1 at home at the Parc des Princes. Before that, they won the French Super Cup with a 4-0 victory over Nantes.
Strasbourg 1-1 PSG match on May 27.
Thanh Quy (according to L'Equipe )
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