Paris Saint Germain star Neymar has been slammed for not attending Brazil legend Pele’s funeral.
Last week, it was announced that Pele passed away aged 82. A statement from his family read: “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today.
“Love, love and love, forever.”
When news of his passing broke, Neymar paid tribute to Pele on Instagram, he wrote: “Before Pele, '10' was just a number.
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“I read this sentence somewhere, at some point in my life. But this beautiful sentence is incomplete. I would say that before Pele, football was just a sport. Pele changed everything.
“He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to blacks and above all he gave visibility to Brazil. Football and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He is gone, but his magic will remain. Pele is ETERNAL!”
As Neymar is arguably the biggest star in Brazilian football right now, many expected him to be present for Pele's funeral.
However, Neymar has now faced criticism in his home country after he opted to stay in France to train with PSG instead of travelling to Brazil.
Brasil Urgente presenter Jose Luiz Datena blasted Neymar, he said: “If Neymar wanted to be freed, he came.
“Neymar could very well have pressured PSG to come here. He has already pressed the club several times to come to parties, why not ask PSG to say goodbye to Pele? I think Neymar, as a Brazilian player, had an obligation to come and see Pele's coffin to say goodbye to him. It was important for Brazilian football.”
Neymar’s father, Neymar Sr said: “Today is to support the family, we have lost a lot. He inspired so many people and the sport, he got us here today. He has inspired all generations, he has always been a reference.
“That's why my son asked me to be here instead. To support the family. We know what it is to lose someone and we have not only lost an athlete, we have lost a citizen, the person Pele. No, Neymar is not going to come.”
Pele’s funeral will take place in Santos on Tuesday 3 January.
Topics: Neymar, Pele, Football, Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain
Marcus Chan