Neymar to miss Rio Carnival for first time in six years
Neymar’s magic on the pitch is rivalled by his famous trick off it of being unavailable to play early in March.
But all the fun of that ride has ended for the Brazil superstar as he is set to miss his sister’s birthday and the Rio Carnival for the first time in six years.
PSG’s £198million frontman has mysteriously been injured or suspended at this important time of the year for him back home.
Now, though, one of football’s strangest sequences since his arrival in Europe with Barcelona in 2013 seems sure to end imminently.
Not only has the 28-year-old shrugged off fitness problems, he seems free of the type of suspension from accumulated bookings that has also plagued him in early spring.
That has meant poor Neymar has had no excuses for not traipsing all the way back to sunny Brazil to celebrate sister Rafaella Santos’ birthday on March 11.
Having joined from Santos in 2013, his oddball run began with matching one-game bans in 2015 and 2016.
That unfortunate coincidence was ended the following year… when muscular problems kept him out of action – on the field anyway.
And in his first two season with PSG he suffered metatarsal injuries.
He was out for 16 matches from late February in 2018.
Then last year he actually broke his metatarsal, although he kept in shape by hopping and bopping at the carnival and partying with celebrities and friends.
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PSG might be especially glad that Neymar can finally show his March flair where it matters most to them – on the pitch – as they have a tough task to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
They trail Borussia Dortmund 2-1 going into the second leg in Paris.
And to make the return match even more noteworthy for Neymar it is precisely on Rafaella’s birthday!