Neymar is reported to be at loggerheads with the PSG hierarchy after the forward missed the French champions’ title celebrations to attend the Monaco Grand Prix.
The 31-year-old has been on the treatment table ever since sustaining a season-ending ankle injury in March, but was expected to be present for PSG’s 1-1 draw with Strasbourg on Saturday night which saw them retain their Ligue 1 title.
Fellow stricken teammates Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi, Fabián Ruiz, Nuno Mendes, and Nordi Mukiele had all travelled to Alsace with Neymar the only notable absentee.
The Brazilian was instead seen rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous at Formula 1’s most glamorous race weekend, leaving PSG boss Christophe Galtier scrambling to diffuse the fallout.
The Frenchman told reporters that Neymar had issues moving around due to the injury and had remained a constant presence until the very end of the season.
Neymar was not shy about being seen at last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix where he spent time in the paddock with Red Bull Racing
The Brazilian was pictured with celebrities including the MCU’s Spiderman, Tom Holland
French outlet L’Equipe also reported the manager’s entourage were quick to say there was no obligation for injured players to travel to Strasbourg for the game.
The controversy comes fresh off the back of speculation surrounding the former Barcelona man’s future in the French capital. Neymar still has four years to run on a mammoth contract extension that, if honoured, would mark a decade with PSG.
The forward stunned the footballing world when he opted to swap Barcelona for Paris in a world-record £198million transfer, but has failed to justify the extraordinary sum.
After several seasons cut short through injury Neymar has now attracted the ire of club’s fervent support and was subjected to aggressive chants of ‘get lost’ from fans who had planted themselves outside his home earlier this month.
This has led to rumours that both player and club could now be ready to part ways with speculated interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and even Manchester City.
According to L’Equipe, Pep Guardiola has been in contact with the player to enquire about his intentions as the transfer window approaches.
Manchester United have also been linked with the Brazilian star, although a move is thought to be unlikely due to FFP concerns.
PSG laboured to a 1-1 draw in Strasbourg that secured the club’s 11th Ligue 1 title