Rumours of a giant year-end party organised by Neymar in
Brazil in the midst of the pandemic have revived his image as an
eternal spoiled child.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker’s entourage vigorously denies
reports in Brazilian media, but the silence of the player, normally
active on social media, speaks for itself.
When a young woman filed a complaint against him for rape last
year – a case that was eventually dropped – the Brazilian football
star did not hesitate to reveal intimate exchanges of messages with
his accuser.
This time, he is keeping quiet. So too are his main sponsors
Puma, who wrenched Neymar away from Nike in September. Contacted by
AFP, the German sports-goods manufacturer refused to comment.
The refusal to deny the party is taking place has brought a
reaction from Brazilian media.
“It would be much simpler if Neymar went on social networks and
said he had nothing to do with it. LeBron James, Lewis Hamilton,
Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo don’t throw any parties,” said
Galvao Bueno of TV Globo, on Monday evening.
Juca Kfouri, another veteran sports journalist, went
further, speaking of “criminal irresponsibility” in a podcast from
the UOL website.
“Not only is there nothing in his head, but he is irresponsible,
this is a very bad example for Brazil,” said Kfouri, recalling that
the 28-year-old striker has often appeared alongside far-right
President Jair Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly downplayed the
importance of the virus.
Brazilian media has filled in the silence with of the supposed
party.
Neymar reportedly plans a seven-day, non-stop rave for 500
guests, has bought a disused hangar to hide VIP helicopters and
private jets.
– ‘He has not committed a crime’ -After a series of seasons
marred by injuries, failures in big matches and complaints about
his diving when tackled, Neymar helped Paris Saint-Germain reach
their first Champions League final.
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His image received another lift when he and Kylian Mbappe led
the Paris Saint-Germain players off the field after a match
official aimed a racist remark at a coach of opposing Basaksehir
three weeks ago during a Champions League match.
“His image was improving, but has been severely damaged again,
even though 2020 was one of his best years,” sports marketing
consultant Erich Beting told AFP.
Beting does not think the striker will lose sponsors.
“Often the language in contracts are quite rigid. Even if
Neymar’s attitude may be morally reprehensible, he has not
committed a crime,” Beting said.
State law in Rio de Janeiro does not prohibit parties in private
residences. The city council of Mangaratiba, the seaside resort
where Neymar owns a villa he uses for parties, said a statement
that it “did not have the power” to intervene.
“The problem with Neymar, who is used to throwing parties for
his birthdays, is that he is sending back this idea of a guy who is
out of touch,” Jerome Neveu, founding president of Advent, a
French consultancy firm specialising in ‘celebrity
marketing’, told AFP in Paris.
“He’s very popular and has a lot of followers on social
networks, but he’s also quite divisive. There are people who are
huge fans who will forgive him almost anything,” said Neveu. “On
the other hand there are those who do not forgive him anything and
call on him to set an example.”
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