After an initial report had Neymar Jr. in Brazil to pay his respects to the legendary footballer Pelé, the Paris Saint-Germain star’s father debunked that rumor by confirming that his son isn’t in the country.
Neymar Sr. spoke with local media in Brazil (h/t RMC Sport), where he confirmed that his son wouldn’t be attending the public service on Monday or the private one that will occur Tuesday.
As a result, the player’s father is serving as his representation, and like other football personalities and foreign clubs, the PSG star had a wreath sent, which was placed around the coffin, sheltered under a large white tent.
“We know what it is to lose someone and we have not only lost an athlete, we have lost a citizen, the person Pelé,” Neymar Sr. said. “No, Neymar is not going to come.”
The 30-year-old had been suspended for the RC Lens match as he received a red card in PSG’s 2-1 win over Strasbourg last Wednesday, so he wasn’t part of the squad that fell 3-1 Sunday.
While the capital club would have understood Neymar’s absence if he had gone to Brazil, it seems he wants to be with the team, who will be looking for a bounce back performance on Friday when they face LB Châteauroux in the French Cup Round of 64.
