Soccer Star Neymar Prefers Casinos Over Title Celebrations, Skips On Team

Posted on: May 29, 2023, 07:01h. 

Last updated on: May 29, 2023, 12:40h.

Erik Gibbs Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

Paris Saint Germaine (PSG) just won France’s Ligue 1 soccer title, thanks in no small part to having three of the best players – Neymar, Leo Messi, and Kylian Mbappé – on the team. Instead of taking a trip with the team to fight for the championship because he was reportedly too injured, Neymar took trips to a casino and the F1 Monaco Grand Prix.

PSG soccer player Neymar (right) takes a photo with actor Tom Holland at the Monaco Grand Prix
PSG soccer player Neymar (right) takes a photo with actor Tom Holland at the Monaco Grand Prix. He skipped a title celebration with his team to visit a casino and the race. (Image: Getty Images)

Still injured, Neymar has once again been the center of attention in the PSG club. French media have reported that the Brazilian soccer star didn’t travel to Strasbourg, France, with PSG for a title match in which it emerged victorious for the 11th time in the French league.

However, Neymar was seen this weekend at multiple events outside of soccer. On Saturday, he was at a poker tournament in Monaco. Similarly, the Brazilian figure uploaded a story to his Instagram channel in which he was playing roulette in an online casino.

It doesn’t end there. On Sunday, Neymar was at the Monaco Grand Prix, where in addition to watching the race, he could be seen taking photos with Maria Sharapova, Tom Holland, and others.

End Of The Line

PSG met rival soccer team RC Strasbourg Alsace on Saturday, picking up the one point it needed to take home the Ligue 1 title. After an underwhelming first-half performance, the team found success 15 minutes into the second period. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, but it was enough.

Mbappé launched a pass to Messi, who found the back of the net. Strasbourg couldn’t find any way to dismantle PSG for the rest of the match.

The win was possible without Neymar, though, who was too busy living it up elsewhere. Team manager Christophe Galtier told reporters that the 31-year-old couldn’t suit up because of his injuries. Instead of sticking around to support his team, he dashed off for Monaco.

Everything would indicate that Neymar’s next season will be away from France, although it isn’t clear where he may go. At the moment, the firmest clue is the Premier League – Manchester United or Chelsea reportedly are the most interested in taking Neymar and dealing with his controversies. They’re also likely the only ones with the economic capacity to be able to afford the expense.

A House Divided

Neymar’s early exit is just part of what appears to be the end of PSG’s reign. After taking a quick celebratory lap following the title win, Messi left for Barcelona, Spain, missing a larger team celebration and an important awards ceremony.

Messi was instrumental in helping PSG attain the title by contributing 16 goals and 16 assists this season. However, his contract has just reached its expiration date, and there doesn’t appear to be negotiations about a possible renewal.

As perhaps a strong hint that changes are coming, Messi didn’t attend the National Union of Professional Football Players awards gala for his nomination as the Best Player of the Year. The awards ceremony is organized by the Professional Players Union of France.

Mbappé won the award, and while he was giving his acceptance speech, Messi was nowhere to be found. Instead, he and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo were already in Barcelona, where, among other things, they took in a Coldplay concert.

It now looks as though PSG may be without Messi and Neymar next season, which means the team will likely enter a low period. There had also been a rumor that Mbappé might leave. However, he rejected the claim over the weekend.