In the documentary series “The Last Dance” devoted to the career of Michael Jordan, the basketball legend has fun repeating a phrase that was then taken up en masse on the Web: “And it has become personal.
Any word, misplaced look or action from an opponent could infuriate him and turn the game into a "personal" matter.
The Neymar-Alvaro duel looks a lot like this.
As described before the Champions Trophy in January (2-1 for PSG), the Brazilian has never digested the events of the clasico in September (1-0 victory for OM).
This Sunday evening (9 p.m., on Canal +), despite gastroenteritis contracted the day after his birthday, Neymar should be the holder at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille during the OM-PSG shock.
And as it is likely that Alvaro Gonzalez is aligned in the Marseille defense, this meeting could quickly come down to the direct confrontation of the two players.
Clash on social networks
In January, the Brazilian was already showing his desire for sporting “revenge” when he came into play late in the Champions Trophy.
The Spaniard responded with one of his only weapons: faults, including a symbolic one when he tries to stop Neymar by grabbing his head with both hands.
Rather calm, the number 10 of PSG left Leandro Paredes or Mauro Icardi to defend him with the referee.
The meeting between Neymar and Alvaro finally took place on social networks after the meeting.
On an exchange of a few messages, the Parisian crowned himself "king" when the Marseillais described him as "trash".
"I made you famous, you're welcome to the phenomenon," concluded the Brazilian international.
My parents always taught me to take out the trash.
Go OM always💙 pic.twitter.com/wmJGbHTByQ
- Álvaro González (@AlvaroGonzalez_) January 13, 2021
“Ney likes to put on a show, on and off the pitch.
It's his way of being, he's like that, he likes to tease, summarizes Marquinhos in an interview with So Foot magazine.
And as he has this dispute with this player from Marseille, he has chambered it a bit, that's all.
[…] There was nothing very bad ”.
The fear of all is to see this duel exceed the limits of the chamber or some fault on the ground.
The insults exchanged between the two men last September cover a potentially racist character, according to the testimony provided by Neymar.
The Professional Football League (LFP) considered itself incompetent to judge this first case, which therefore remained without concrete evidence, either on one side or the other.
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Whatever the truth, Neymar and Alvaro have suffered the consequences.
The feeling of revenge exists between the two players, who will have to channel their emotions this Sunday evening to lead their team to success.
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For Neymar and PSG, the trip to the Velodrome is the first since October 2018 (2-0 success), during which the Brazilian offered an assist to Julian Draxler at the end of the match.
Author of two goals and two assists in five outings against OM, the Parisian playmaker knows the importance of these clasicos for the Parisian public.
And as long as Alvaro Gonzalez is the defender of the opposing team, Neymar's envy will remain tenfold.
It's up to him to make his personal duel an asset for the collective
