Phil Neville has become a consistent presence at this World Cup but often for reasons that do not concern football or football analysis.
There was his tetchy exchange with former Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas on the BBC’s coverage of Egypt’s opener with Uruguay, there was Neville claiming that Uruguay fans would be happy to see their team just go further than they ever have before at the tournament, despite having won the World Cup twice, and now there’s his dismissal of the South American caffeine-rich infused drink maté.
Neville was offered to try the drink by West Ham right-back Pablo Zabaleta who encouraged the former Everton captain to taste it.
https://twitter.com/nealrstewart/status/1010933949047164928
Neville’s initial reaction was to liken the drink to hot water before then labeling the drink as disgusting, much to the delight of Zabaleta who burst out laughing.
Neville has had other tea episodes in the past when he angered some viewers of the BBC’s ‘Class of ’92: Out of Their League’ show when he was seen putting milk in his tea before removing the teabag.
Phil Neville has gone right down in my estimations after noticing he puts the milk in his tea before taking out the teabag.✋🏼
— Em♡👸🏼 (@Madisons_Avenue) November 5, 2015