Really, Neymar? Really?
Neymar produced a ‘shameless dive’ during Paris Saint-Germain’s pre-season friendly against Gamba Osaka on Monday.
The Parisians secured a 6-2 victory over the Japanese side, with Pablo Sarabia, Neymar, Nuno Mendes, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé all getting on the scoresheet.
Neymar’s first goal of the game – which took place at the Suita City Stadium – came from the penalty spot, but the way he won the spot-kick was incredibly controversial.
The Brazilian star drove forward inside the penalty area before faking back, seemingly waiting for contact from a Gamba Osaka defender.
However, Genta Miura pulled his foot away after going to ground for a challenge, and there didn’t appear to be any contact with the former Barcelona man.
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) July 25, 2022
Despite this, Neymar still threw himself to the ground before rolling towards the camera in agony. Although Miura and his teammates pleaded his case, the referee pointed to the spot and award PSG a penalty.
Neymar dispatched the spot-kick in the 32nd minute of the tie, before he later doubled his tally in the 60th minute.
Neymar feels the social media heat
One Twitter user claimed the Brazilian’s dive was ‘shameless’:
https://twitter.com/KhumaloMphe/status/1551564889579290625
Another added: “Faked a dive in a friendly against a Japanese club to get a pen... I swear this guy is shameless.”
https://twitter.com/Eclairs___/status/1551554939440271362
A third said: “With that shameless theatrics from Neymar ??”
With that shameless theatrics from Neymar ??🤡🤡🤡
— REPOST LORD (@Elvee2_) July 25, 2022
PSG star linked with move away from France
Neymar has been linked with a move away from the Parc des Princes this summer and the club are said to be open to his departure.
However, the 30-year-old is keen to stay in the French capital. He told reporters last week: “I want to stay at the club. I am still under contract for a few years. So far, the club has not told me anything like this [about wanting me to leave].
“I have nothing to prove to anyone. People know me, know who I am, how I behave on the pitch, what my game is.
“I don’t need to prove myself. I just need to play my football to be happy. People talk too much. And they talk too much because they can’t do anything else.”
Neymar: “I want to stay at Paris Saint Germain. No one from the club told me anything about the plans for my future, as things stand”, tells AFP. 🚨🇧🇷 #PSG
“I don’t know what kind of plans they have for me – I want to stay”. pic.twitter.com/y7lEXvBBEV
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 23, 2022
PSG begin their Ligue 1 title defence away at Clermont Foot on Saturday August 6.
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