‘Constantly assaulted’: Distraught Neymar issues message as injured star forced to miss Barcelona Champions League clash
An emotional Neymar has reacted after being ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League last 16 first leg against Barcelona next week, with the injured Brazilian star facing up to four weeks on the sidelines.
The 29-year-old forward was forced off around an hour into PSG's French Cup win at Caen on Wednesday with an injury to his left adductor.
The French champions confirmed fears on Thursday that the setback would definitely rule Neymar out of next Tuesday's clash with Barcelona in Spain.
"In the analysis of the clinical examination and imaging examinations, there is expected to be an unavailability of about 4 weeks depending on the evolution," the club said.
In the worst-case scenario, that would also mean PSG are sweating on whether the Brazilian will be fit for the return leg against Barcelona in Paris on March 10.
The news is another blow for Neymar, who was forced to miss key Champions League encounters for his team against Real Madrid back in 2018 and Manchester United in 2019.
Last season he remained fit in the knockout stages of the competition, helping the club to a maiden appearance in the final, where they were beaten by Bayern Munich.
After the news was confirmed, Neymar took to Instagram to share his despair with his 146 million followers, bemoaning the apparent rough treatment he regularly receives from the opposition.
"The sadness is great, the pain is immense and the crying is constant," wrote the star.
"Once again I will stop doing what I love most in life for a while, which is playing football.
"Sometimes I feel uncomfortable due to my style of play, because I dribble and end up getting assaulted constantly."
"I don't know if the problem is me or what I do on the field... it really saddens me.
"It makes me so sad to have to hear from a player, coach, commentator or the f*cking No.4 (referring to a Caen player) 'he really has to be beaten', 'falls down' 'crying' 'kid' 'spoiled' and etc...
"Honestly it saddens me and I don't know how long I can take it, I just want to be happy playing football. THAT'S IT."
PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino will also be without influential Argentine winger Angel Di Maria for next week's game in Spain, as he is also out injured.
Neymar's absence next week means he will miss a return to the club with whom he claimed Champions League glory in 2015.
