Neymar needs a treatment during PSG’s victory against Montpellier, he then celebrating his 28th birthday at Paris nightclub 24 hours later. Few hours later, he is confirmed of having a rib injury and unable to play against Nantes. Voila.
However, manager Thomas Tuchel refused to criticize the player.
“Is it the best way to prepare for a match? No, clearly not,” he said.
“Is it the worst thing in the world? No,” the German added in his news conference on Monday.
“I always protect my players, and I really love my team. With this party, I accept that it is a bit difficult to protect the players, but the context is not simply black or white.
“It is a shame, because we are giving people the chance to speak badly of us. We need to adapt to the situation, but I am not going to leave a player on the bench or at home because they went out and celebrated.”
The club confirmed that tests had shown Neymar suffered the cartilage injury during the first half match against Montpellier.
Tuchel is also under hot water after having a spat with another star striker Kylian Mbappe, who was substituted in the second half.
“There is nothing personal between him and me. These things happen.
“It was between a player who does not want to come off, and a coach who had his reasons for doing something, and who wanted to give a game to players who deserved it.”