Neymar Jr. took to social media to let his fans know that for the first time in six years, he will not be attending Rio Carnival in Brazil.
Neymar confirms he’s missing the Rio Carnival for the first time in six years 😂
(via NeymarJR/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/4VnYAAuRyG
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 21, 2020
The news is actually more uplifting than it sounds. Neymar has always been able to attend Carnival (and any other celebration) in recent years because at both FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, he’s either been suspended or injured in late February and early March.
PSG fans are all too familiar with Neymar’s late-season injuries. In 2018 he suffered a metatarsal fracture and in 2019, a broken metatarsal sidelined him. Both injuries forced him to miss the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League where PSG crashed out in the Round of 16.
Those injuries are partly why the 28-year-old was held out of four games leading up to last Tuesday’s match against Borussia Dortmund, a decision Neymar said he didn’t agree with after the 2-1 lost.
Neymar’s annual absences during this part of the season always seemed to occur right around his sister’s birthday on March 11. This coincidence hasn’t been overlooked by football fans who often joke that this is the real reason Neymar is always “injured” at this point in the season.
Neymar when it's his sister's birthday pic.twitter.com/d5ek6hUFGs
— Tahsin (@Tahsin3328) February 13, 2020
All jokes aside, it’s great to have Neymar healthy and in the squad again. PSG plays four games before hosting Dortmund at the Parc des Princes to decide which team will advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. That pivotal match is actually on his sister’s birthday and I can think of no better gift than a brilliant performance to lead PSG past the Germans.
As with anything involving Neymar, Twitter lit up with hot takes about his announcement. Here are a few that caught my attention:
Man talks about Carnival almost like its a person.
— Hydro (@PrimeNeymar_) February 21, 2020
The most persecuted yet talented I would say, everyone who has worked with Neymar (players or coaches) says he is a dedicated professional, and I doubt that ”six years” part is true cause the carnival holiday date is different each year in Brazil. Ex: 2015 17feb, 2019 5 march
— richard_parker (@richardparkerbr) February 21, 2020
Really quite disappointed in Neymar for missing carnival for the first time in 6 years just so he can play in Ligue 1.
— Rupert Fryer (@Rupert_Fryer) February 21, 2020
Thinking of him at this challenging time #prayforneymar
— Μιχαλης Δυμου (@Moist55) February 21, 2020
Neymar for the first time idk in how many years wont make to carnival in Brasil. BVB COME OUTSIDEEEEEEEEEEE
— 🇧🇷 (@PedroVsTheWorId) February 21, 2020
So he’s finally going to take the champions league seriously this season?
— tony 🙎🏾♂️ (@tony1995x) February 21, 2020
OMG we’re so sad for him. Does that mean that he will ACTUALLY have to play soccer, being that he’s only paid $3M per month?
— Qatar Saint Germain (@qatar_outside) February 21, 2020
Neymar right now be like pic.twitter.com/r0bvIdo6Jf
— Angulo Inverso (@InversoAngulo) February 21, 2020
Hey, imagine that. Staying fit and remaining with your club in Europe!! What a concept for a footballer who plays in Europe!
— Tim Lanigan (@TimLanigan2) February 21, 2020
Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.
