- The Brazilian lashed out in the 92nd minute to pick up a second yellow during Sunday's match, meaning he will now be suspended when PSG's host Dijon on February 29.
- Carnival officially ends on February 25 before the start of lent, but celebrations often continue across the country until the end of the week.
- Neymar has been absent around the time of the festival for each of the last five seasons.
- Last week, he announced on Instagram, according to AS, that he wouldn't be attending to avoid "controversy."
- Read more of our soccer coverage here.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .
ADVERTISEMENT
Neymar was sent off in the final minutes of PSG's game on Sunday. He could now attend Brazil's Carnival for the 6th year running — even though it's right in the middle of the soccer season.
Neymar's red card during Paris Saint Germain's 4-3 win over Bordeaux means he could be able to celebrate Carnival in Brazil for the sixth year running.
Neymar
Neymar has attended Brazil's annual Carnival for each of the last five years, despite the fact it lies right in the middle of the European soccer season.
Whether it be injury or suspension, the 28-year-old has always found a reason to return to his native country and celebrate at the world's biggest street party.
This year, he could once again be free to fly home after picking up a 92nd minute red card in Paris Saint Germain's 4-3 win over Bordeaux on Sunday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Neymar lashed out at Yacine Adli in stoppage time to pick up a second yellow, meaning he will now be suspended for PSG's game against Dijon on February 29.
PSG coach Thomas Tuchel defended the Brazilian after his sending off, saying: "He is nervous and he reacts. It is human. He must not, but it is human. And the Bordeaux player does not even get a yellow card."
Carnival, which celebrates the last few days of the Christian calendar before the beginning of lent, officially ends on February 25, though many Brazilian cities, such as Sao Paolo, continue the festivities right until the end of the week.
Prior to his suspension, Neymar told his 134 million Instagram followers that he won't be attending this year's event to avoid controversy.
"With immense joy I announce that I won't be at the 2020 Carnival," he said in a story on Friday, according to AS . "That way there won't be any controversy this time."
ADVERTISEMENT
Whilst with former club FC Barcelona, Neymar was able to attend Carnival in both 2015 and 2016 due to suspension.
Since joining PSG in 2017, he's been out of action with a variety of injuries, including a broken metatarsal, each year at the time of Carnival.
Whether or not his latest absence will see him go back on his word and travel once again for the festivities remains to be seen.
Read more:
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also:
ADVERTISEMENT
- An MLS coach said 'I am who I am' after resigning over an investigation into whether he sang the N-word in the team's locker room
- Kylian Mbappe said he's inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo because it's 'too late' for him to be like Lionel Messi
- Barcelona controversially signed a 28-year-old Danish forward for $19 million, and promptly slapped him with a $324 million release clause
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
How to save a life by doing CPR during an emergency
3 reasons most airplanes are painted white
How 1 woman became first lady of 2 different countries — she married 2 presidents
BoG appoints Dr. Joseph O. France as monitoring advisor for UMB recapitalisation efforts
Medikal covers Fella Makafui’s tattoo from his arm after announcing their split
Men aged 20 to 39 responsible for 86% of teenage pregnancies in Tema
Kudus’ ‘center to goal’ strike against Freiburg wins West Ham goal of the month
Bawumia's manifesto team member grabs GH¢245m single-sourced contract — Ablakwa