Dipo Olowookere
There is no secret that Brazilian superstar Neymar is a huge fan of casino games, having been an ambassador to a number of prestigious poker tournaments throughout recent history. However, he once again showed his love for card games at the end of May, as the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star opted against celebrating another Ligue 1 title success with teammates in favor of jetting off to Monte Carlo to enjoy a trip to a casino by himself. The news story made headlines across France once again, as it led to questions surrounding his long-term future at the Parc Des Princes, and his desire to continue playing football at the highest level.
Neymar Skips PSG Celebrations
Neymar’s passion for casino games and poker and his recent decision to skip the PSG celebrations has once again cast doubt on his future at the Parc des Princes. Neymar often prefers to have the limelight on himself rather than sharing it with his teammates, and that was evident after he made the decision to travel to Monte Carlo to visit a casino rather than spend time celebrating with his teammates. The PSG star was quizzed over his potential future at the club while in the location, but he remained coy about where he will be playing next season.
As well as visiting the casino in Monte Carlo, the Brazilian superstar also attended the Monaco Grand Prix, where he was a special guest of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Neymar was also pictured alongside the rich and famous on the illustrious Monaco grid, as he was snapped in conversation with Spider-Man himself, Tom Holland.
Why Did He Miss The Celebrations?
Neymar enjoys playing casino games of all types. He is known to play frequently at online casinos and has most probably claimed many an online casino welcome bonus over the years. Additionally, he enjoys visiting the most prestigious casinos across Europe so it is not too surprising to hear that he paid a visit to a casino in Monte Carlo. However, what caused confusion was his decision to travel to the casino instead of joining his PSG teammates in celebrating their Ligue 1 title success.
It could be argued that Neymar may not have felt part of the celebrations this season, as he was injured for long spells of the season, meaning that he was forced to watch on from the sidelines and watch the team’s success on the field. However, his decision not to celebrate with teammates has now led to questions about whether his stay at the Parc des Princes will come to an end this summer during the transfer window.
Neymar’s Future In Doubt
PSG will be adopting a new transfer strategy this summer, meaning that they will be targeting less world-class talent and rather players that can create a strong base for a team capable of winning the Champions League. The superstar era in Paris hasn’t worked out as expected, with the trio of Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe yet to even reach a Champions League quarter final since the Argentinian’s arrival.
However, a new strategy will be implemented this summer, evident from the fact that Messi has already been allowed to leave the club on a free transfer after agreeing a deal with Inter Miami. PSG wants to keep hold of Mbappe, but the club is open to offers for Neymar after growing frustrated with his limited game time since joining the club from Barcelona.
Difficult Season For Neymar
Neymar arrived at PSG in the summer of 2017, just weeks after the club had agreed a deal to sign Mbappe from Monaco. However, the Brazilian star arrived at the club as a superstar already, with PSG paying a world-record fee to tempt the winger away from Barcelona. The main goal of the signing was to finally deliver the Champions League title, but he has failed to achieve that goal.
Neymar’s performances haven’t been an issue, but it has been his inability to stay fit throughout the season. That was evident once again this term, as he missed both legs of the crucial knockout Champions League tie against Bayern Munich. Overall, he played just 29 times for the club this season across all competitions, with just 20 appearances having been made in Ligue 1. Neymar scored just 18 goals across his appearances in all competitions.
Final Thoughts
The long-term future of Neymar promises to be a story that will rumble on throughout the summer, with a number of elite European clubs monitoring the situation. However, it remains to be seen whether any clubs will be willing to match the valuation set by PSG. Another potential exit route could see Neymar shipped off to join the ever-expanding Saudi Pro League.
