Neymar Jr, 28 years old, leaves no one indifferent either on or off the football field.
As a player, many want him in their ranks for his skills and his witty, but his genius, his desire to break the rules and his parties in style do not stop creating controversy.
The last one has come at the height of a pandemic and a time of social restrictions around the world.
The PSG player had organized a macro-party at his Mangaratiba mansion in Rio de Janeiro to say goodbye to 2020 while Brazil, his country of origin and where he is spending his Christmas holidays, accumulates very worrying data on infections by covid-19 and increases the number dead.
In the midst of this fear of the virus and with harsh measures that have prevented many families from meeting completely during this Christmas in many countries of the world, Neymar wanted to say goodbye to the year in a big way: 500 people partying for several days, according to what he reported to
O'Globo
newspaper earlier in the week
.
According to the publication, it was not just an intention but a fact that had already been started and that even had a band of musicians.
The party, according to the Brazilian media, would have started several days ago and would be being held in a kind of underground disco with acoustic insulation so as not to disturb the neighboring neighbors.
The only condition: that the attendees will not use their mobile phones.
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A post shared by ene10ta Érre 🇧🇷 👻 neymarjr (@neymarjr)
The information provoked a wave of criticism on social networks for the irresponsible and unsupportive attitude that Neymar's decision supposes and quickly the player's environment rushed to specify the information with a public note that specified that there were not 500 but 150 people and that the event had been held "in compliance with all the health measures established by the public authorities."
The party organizing company also detailed in a statement that it is “a private event, with exclusive access for guests and without ticket sales.
It also has all the necessary licenses for its realization ”.
While the footballer has not spoken for better or for worse and in his social networks he has only shared Christmas moments with his closest family and friends these days.
Neymar's party streak is not the first time that he has generated criticism and controversy, but on this occasion neither 500 nor 150 guests seem to be admissible for even many of his most staunch followers.
The party started last Saturday and the idea was to extend it until January 1, 2021, an entry in style in the new year.
Not even the rules imposed and that have been leaked have lowered the criticism.
According to the French media
L'Equipe, in
addition to the prohibition of accessing the mansion with mobile phones or cameras to protect the privacy of the party, the footballer would have established other requirements.
Among them, that attendees will present a negative PCR to be able to access the party and the mandatory use of a mask while they are inside the mansion.
None of them finish convincing.
Some of the same guests have even declared to
L'Equipe
that "the party was intimate at first, for 50 people, now it has been a bit overdone".
Most of the Brazilian media have shown their discomfort with the decision of their admired player and even a renowned sports commentator from the country, Neto, has even addressed the player with a recommendation: “Don't give the party.
Do not do that.
It leaves you very badly off.
Do better like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and spend it alone ”.
MERRY XMAS MY BRAVES!
👊🏾 @ Dieselparfums # spiritofthebrave #xmasofthebrave pic.twitter.com/W5fSwSSd9g
- Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) December 24, 2020
It is not the first controversy starring Neymar.
Last year, the Paris Saint German footballer was denounced for rape by model Najila Trindade.
Evidence was lacking that the encounter he had with Najila in a Paris hotel on May 15 was violent and the case was closed.
Neymar was then innocent of the episode, but not unharmed.
“I'm not saying I'm happy, but I'm relieved.
I have a scar left to remind me that human beings are capable of doing good things but also bad things, "he wrote then on his social networks.
On the field, last September the French league imposed two penalties on him after being expelled from the field in which his team lost to Olympique de Marseille.
The reason: to attack the Spanish central Álvaro González, who plays for that team.
A controversial match because the Disciplinary Commission of the French Professional Football League also agreed to open an investigation into the accusations of racist comments that the Brazilian, 28, presented against the defender at the end of the match.
Neymar published on his social networks: "The only thing I regret is not having hit him in the face."
Later he wrote a new message on Twitter in which he implied that the VAR must have captured the aggression: "Now I want to see the image of the racist calling me 'Monkey son of a bitch."