NEYMAR’S party lifestyle could be what separates him from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, according to a top French doctor.
The 29-year-old Paris Saint-Germain attacker will miss the Champions League last 16 first leg against his former club Barcelona.
Neymar is out injured AGAIN and will miss the Champions League clash against his old club BarcelonaCredit: Reuters
Neymar is well known for his love of a partyCredit: AFP or licensors
He was injured in PSG’s French Cup win at Caen, and will miss the game with a groin injury.
French newspaper L’Equipe believes that his hectic lifestyle OFF the pitch contributes to his time on the treatment table.
Neymar is well-known for throwing lavish birthday celebrations, often inviting team-mates to help him celebrate.
In an interview with French radio station TF1 recently the Brazilian blasted accusations that this makes him ‘immature’.
He said: “So, who doesn’t like to party? Everyone likes to have fun.
“I know when I can go, I know when I can do it, when I can’t.”
But L’Equipe go so far as to compare Neymar to the ‘big two’ – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – and how they condition themselves away from the training ground.
The newspaper writes: “Serious, diligent and rigorous in the sessions, the Brazilian believes, perhaps too often, that his work stops at the exit of the Parc des Princes or the Camp des Loges, once the games or training sessions are over.
Neymar says partying doesn’t make him ‘immature’Credit: Instagram / @neymarjr
The Brazil forward admits he enjoys ‘having fun’Credit: Instagram @fran.e.marcos
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still at the top of their game and rarely suffer with injuriesCredit: Getty – Contributor
Ronaldo and Messi are both named in the Ballon d’Or all-time best XI
“Other great players, Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for example, do not celebrate their birthdays with great pomp.
“And next week, the two Ballon d’Or winners will be able to compete in the Champions League. Unlike Neymar.”
And speaking to Le Parisien, french doctor Jean-Bernard Fabre has been left shocked by the player’s ‘physical fragility’.
He told the newspaper, as translated by ESPN: “I don’t know Neymar, but it still suggests that despite everything there is something wrong.
“And that’s what makes the difference between him and others at his level, like Messi and Ronaldo. They never get hurt.
“Neymar is as talented as they are, it can even be more explosive than Ronaldo.
“But, on the other hand, there is one who is progressing year after year, who knows how to manage his efforts and has the intelligence to prepare himself properly, because he understood that his working instrument remains his body.”
Both multiple Ballon d’Or winners Ronaldo and Messi regularly post photos of them working out at home and share exercise and diet tips to their fans.
Messi, 33, and Ronaldo, 36, usually enjoy long stretches of games without injury thanks to their superb conditioning.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Cristiano Ronaldo shares his exercising techniques on Instagram
Messi even gets the dog involved in his home training sessionsCredit: Instagram
Neymar’s latest injury comes just a month before his sister’s birthday.
Some football fans on social media have speculated that this latest period of time on the sidelines is somehow linked to this.
Coincidentally, the Brazilian superstar almost always appears to pick up a knock just before sister Rafaella Santos celebrates her big day.
The ‘curse’ started in 2015 while playing for Barcelona.
But Neymar has hit back at his critics and insisted he is ‘saddened’ by what has happened.
Neymar even invites his team-mates to his parties, pictured right is Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Posting on Instagram, the 103-cap Brazil international wrote: “The sadness is great, the pain is immense and the crying is constant.
“Once again for a while I will stop doing what I love most in life, which is playing football.
“Sometimes I feel uncomfortable because of my style of play, because I dribble and constantly get hacked, I don’t know if the problem is me or what I do on the pitch … it really saddens me.
“It makes me too sad to hear from a player, coach, commentator or whoever else, “he really has to be kicked” “he dives“ “cries” “kid” “spoiled”… etc.
“Honestly it saddens me and I don’t know how long I can take it, I just want to be happy playing football. NOTHING ELSE.”
Neymar only recovered from a month-long ankle injury in mid-January.
Cristiano Ronaldo keeps himself in stunning shape at homeCredit: Refer to Caption
Messi keeps the sporting themes going on at home with his familyCredit: Instagram @leomessi
Neymar hires out venues to host his birthday partiesCredit: Instagram / @neymarjr
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Neymar enjoys low-key dinner at home on NYE after claims he flew models in for 500-person bash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
