Neymar ‘spotted playing poker in Paris tournament hours after PSG’s loss to Bayern Munich’ despite Kylian Mbappe warning
NEYMAR was spotted playing in a poker tournament just hours after Paris Saint-Germain’s loss to Bayern Munich.
And then forward returned to the table later on in the evening – ignoring Kylian Mbappe’s rallying cry to the fans.
Neymar, 31, played the full 90 minutes of Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat to Bayern as Kingsley Coman grabbed the only goal of the game at the Parc des Princes.
But by Wednesday afternoon, RMC report he was at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris to take part in the European Poker Tour.
Keen player Neymar has had a partnership deal with PokerStars since 2014 and it was thought he was simply making an appearance for his sponsors.
The gambling company posted a picture of the Brazilian star at the table wearing a grey hoody and cap with his AirPods in and confirmed he was competing in a €10,000 (£8,900) Mystery Bounty tournament against “some world-class competitors”.
But the report adds the world’s most expensive footballer was back at the hotel later on the evening, playing until 10.30pm before allegedly stopping for a McDonald’s.
It is understood £198million Neymar progressed through day one to qualify for a second day of poker action on Thursday.
But the timing comes at a terrible time for PSG fans, who have seen their side lose three times in a row for the first time since 2011.
Speaking after the first-leg defeat against 2020 winners Bayern in their Champions League last-16 tie, vice-captain Mbappe issued a motivational message on behalf of the squad.
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The Frenchman said: “Our players have to be in good health for the return leg.
“Everyone needs to eat and sleep well.
“We’re going to work, get everyone back and get there to qualify.”
Neymar, Mbappe and Lionel Messi were brought to PSG to lead the team to European glory, with the Champions League the one trophy their Qatari owners are so desperate to lift.
But it appears Neymar may have folded on his priorities on the pitch to go all in at the poker table.