PSG HEAD COACH Thomas Tuchel has told reporters that Neymar has begun treatment for a foot injury he sustained against Strasbourg, but does not know what his return date will be.
The world’s most expensive player was in tears as he left the pitch in the 62nd minute of the game following some rough treatment from opponent Moataz Zemzemi.
The Parisian’s won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria, which ensured PSG qualified for the quarter-final stage of the Coupe de France.
However, Neymar’s injury put something of a downer on the celebrations, so much so that Tuchel’s post-match questions revolved almost entirely around the well-being of the 26-year-old.
On Saturday, the former Dortmund boss provided the press with an update, saying: “He [Neymar] started treatment. We have to wait until later this week [for a return date], the treatment depends on how the the injury evolves in the coming days.”
Following the game against Strasbourg, Tuchel had said he was ‘worried’ about the extent of the injury and confirmed Neymar had been taken to hospital.
The German coach is especially concerned in this case as it involves the same metatarsal the player injured last year.
PSG had already released a statement in which they said: “Initial examinations have revealed a painful recurrence of his injury to the fifth metatarsal of his right foot.
“The treatment of this injury will depend on how it evolves over the next few days. All options can be envisaged at this time.”
Neymar has at times be accused of going to ground too easily, something the Brazilian star has always denied, and so too has his father in a recent Instagram post.
The ex-Barca man has also been criticised for showboating and disrespecting the opposition, something Zemzemi appeared to reference when asked by reporters about the incident in which Neymar sustained the injury.
“Neymar? That’s his style, he’s a great player but we’re not there to have fun with him,” he said. We respond with our weapons and we have colours to defend. We’re not here to joke. So he must not come and cry after.”
A Neymar-less PSG face Rennes on Sunday, before important league games against Lyon and Bordeaux.
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You liat the KO at 14:30…. isn’t it 15:00? I’m booked in for a full head of highlights at 1 and won’t make a half 2 kick off……
@Bungee Aky: no it’s been changed to 2:30! You’d wanna tell the hairdresser to get a move on
@Boo Radley: you can’t rush perfection
Anybody got an update on the Bill Johnston move to Ulster? Asking for a friend.
@Jim Demps: is your friend Rochelle?
@Bungee Aky: don’t be silly Rochelle has no friends
@Jim Demps: is it a case of use it or lose it.
@Chris Mc: I’m all for it, hope it’s happening. It’d be a great move for him, Ulster and for munster.
@Jim Demps: I’m not sure how it’s good for munster but he does need rugby at this stage.
@Chris Mc: no point in having a 28, 26, 23 and 22 year old all vying for the same position. If Johnston moves on we’ve got a good balance there. At the moment with carbery the same age as him Johnston isn’t going to be given a fair chance so a move will suit him. For munster they can break in Ben Healy and give him the exposure as a young talent. It’s too easy for people to look at Johnston and say he was never given a chance but you can’t ignore his injuries. Two dislocated shoulders and a broken leg for a 22 year old is an awful lot of injuries and it’s bound to slow down his progression. Van Graan has shown that he will give young talent the chance it needs and I’d expect that to continue.
@Jim Demps: fair enough.
@Jim Demps: ‘exposure as a young talent’
When are you going to see what happens at Munster??
@Andrew H: I see it every game I go to Andrew. I’ve seen wycherley, loughman, Shane Daly, Gavin Coombes, o Connor and more all excel. You’re just using Bill Johnston as a tired old excuse to beat munster with. Too easy to compare young lads to Ryan and larmour, once in a generation talents who have as much international as club games under their belt. Try comparing them to their peers, Conor o brien to goggin, josh Murphy to wycherley, abdaladze to loughman and the picture might be a bit clearer for you.
2:30pm? My ticket says 3pm
@Thomyk: game will be over by then and Munsters season finished.
@Bungee Aky: could be right there lad , win r lose it’s supporting them that matters
@Thomyk: naw, nothing beats winning, you just forgot that it’s been so long
@Bungee Aky: won last Saturday pal , and I’m fairly sure we won a few games this season to, so maybe your talking through your anus now ?
Are you two done? Now up to your rooms and do your homework and leave your phones down.
@Thomyk: winning wars not battles
@Bungee Aky: grow a brain
Should be a belter and intimacy of the RDS for such a big game is again great as opposed to 3/4 full Aviva. Re KO info came out earlier for 2.30 KO on PRO14 Twitter
“Semi-Final KO Update: @leinsterrugby v @Munsterrugby to kick off at 14:30 on Saturday May 18 – live on @eirSport & @PremierSportsTV
#GuinnessPRO14”
@mrbryanrussell: if lowe plays it could be a rout
@Eoin Murphy: don’t think so, one thing is for certain let’s hope they don’t get sucked in like last time and focus on getting the job done. Should be a great match hopefully JVdF is back in the squad too as well as Joey
Will be tough for Leinster. Either they’ll all be hungover after winning the European cup, or in a sad shitty mood with no desire to play.
@sup: They’re highly motivated to do the double and if they lose to Saracens their determination will be even greater to win a trophy this season.