Neymar will celebrate his birthday in a Paris club on Sunday, a ‘distraction’ two days ahead of a Ligue 1 trip to Nantes, according to Paris St Germain coach Thomas Tuchel.
According to the French sports daily, L’Equipe reported that the event would take place in a western Paris club and that the PSG players and a few members of the staff had been invited by the Brazilian, who turns 28 on Wednesday.
In 2019, 500 revellers were invited to an event sponsored by Red Bull, including friends, family and former world surf champion, Sao Paulo native Gabriel Medina.
With PSG playing Nantes on Tuesday, Neymar has decided to push forward his birthday plans, although some reports suggest that he will opt for a calmer, more intimate affair than last year’s spectacular soiree. And while the club enjoys a healthy lead at the summit of Ligue 1 after destroying Montpellier 5-0 on Saturday, and manager cannot help but feel a little anxiety over the party.
“Sunday is not good [for Neymar’s birthday party],”. “However, I am neither his father, nor handler, nor agent — I am just his coach.
“I will not say if I am going [to Neymar’s party] or not. You can wait until Sunday. It is off-topic.
“Neymar’s night is a distraction, obviously, and I always protect my players. I love them lots and prefer to talk internally. If there are hard truths to be said, I prefer to do it internally.”
“I prefer to talk about certain things inside the group, when it’s a little bit critical. It can give the image that we are not professionals.
“But I don’t think everything is all white or all black. I know people like to talk this way, and that’s a bit of a shame. That’s also why I don’t want to talk about it too much, but yes, it’s a distraction.”
Neymar failed to get on the scoresheet on Saturday, but he nevertheless hit the headlines after a heated exchange with referee Jerome Brisard.
https://twitter.com/FutbolBible/status/1223967545700515840
Another day, another three points in a fun return to the Parc#PSGMHSC
🔴🔵 #ICICESTPARIS pic.twitter.com/8azs5NHenf
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 1, 2020
The forward picked up a booking in the first half and later confronted the official, reportedly answering “Speak French? My ass!” when asked to address Brisard in the referee’s native language before slamming an object against the wall.
