PARIS Saint-Germain have responded to a survey which slammed Neymar’s on-pitch antics by telling the Brazilian to “never change” in a dedicated Instagram video.
Neymar limped off the pitch in tears after suffering a metatarsal injury in his right foot against Strasbourg last month but faced little sympathy from fans outside of Paris.
Neymar has been defended by PSG after being accused of “provoking defenders”
French Radio station RTL ran a survey in which 84 per cent of football fans believe Neymar “provokes defenders with his style of play.
The poll, conducted days after the world’s most expensive signing was ruled out for 10 weeks with a foot injury, also accused Neymar of “playing a dangerous game.”
The 26-year-old was taken off after 61 minutes of PSG’s 2-0 Coupe de France win over Strasbourg but was later told by Anthony Goncalves “don’t go blubbering.”
PSG reacted angrily to the survey by posting a video of Neymar’s flicks and tricks on their website under the heading “don’t change a thing!”
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Neymar hobbled off during PSG’s win over Strasbourg in the Coupe de France
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The Brazil star will miss ten weeks after damaging his metatarsal
The Ligue 1 leaders then released a statement questioning the survey’s motives, suggesting it supported the argument that Neymar “would justify a ‘punishment’ of an injury…”.
The club said: “All over the world, who makes kids and lovers of the game dream the most? Neymar, or any of his last opponents?
“Would one say, at the same time, that Pele, George Best, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo ‘Fenomeno’ or Zinedine Zidane do ‘too much’?
“We say stop to these pseudo-polls which will have no other effect than to move away from our championship the greatest geniuses of this football which is our shared passion.
PSG also provided data suggesting their star player is better protected by officials in the Champions League by calling on Ligue 1 referees to better prevent persistent fouling.
Neymar was fouled three times in a few seconds by Moataz Zemzemi during the game against Strasbourg and responded by doing a “rainbow flick” before coming off injured.
The ex-Barcelona ace, who also fractured a metatarsal on his right foot in February, has been in stunning form this season having scored 20 goals and made ten assists.
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