For most of his career Diego Forlan was known as one of the most ruthless finishers in the game. Now, the Uruguayan legend has displayed the same ruthlessness when giving his opinion on the current situation that has escalated between Neymar and Edinson Cavani at Paris Saint-Germain.
The former Manchester United striker has leapt to the defence of his compatriot Cavani, who has been experiencing problems with PSG's Brazilian contingent since Neymar's arrival in the French capital.
On two separate occasions, Cavani has sent Neymar packing when the world's most expensive player has attempted to take over penalty taking duties, which have been Cavani's domain since Zlatan Ibrahimovic's departure from the Parc des Princes, last summer. Cavani dispatched the subsequent penalty against Toulouse during a 6-2 victory, last month, however, tempers flared even further this past weekend, during PSG's 2-0 victory over Lyon, when Cavani saw his penalty brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.
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Not only did Cavani's failure from the penalty spot increase tensions between himself and his new Brazilian teammate, but Dani Alves' refusal to relinquish the ball to Cavani when the Uruguayan striker wanted to take a free-kick also brought about a heated on-pitch confrontation.
When asked about the escalating problems between his two forwards, PSG manager Unai Emery said, via Metro, "Penalties will be taken by a couple of players. One is Edinson and the other is Neymar."
"There needs to be a gentlemen's agreement on the pitch when it comes to taking spot kicks.
"Apart from that, we will have to arrange things internally for when we get penalties because I believe that both are capable of converting them and I want them to alternate with this exercise."
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Forlan, on the other hand, was less diplomatic when asked for his opinion on the situation.
In an interview with Uruguayan radio station Radio Sport 890, translated by Marca, the former Atletico Madrid and Villareal man said, "[Cavani] deserves respect. He has been scoring goals for years and taking penalties, there has to be respect.
"Neymar would not have done that to Messi. He did not want Cavani to take the penalty. He was like a little boy annoying him.
"It's a problem between Neymar and Cavani, those things happen on all teams. What does not make sense is what Alves does, he doesn't give the ball to Cavani but gives it to Neymar as if he were his bitch."
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Cavani converted seven penalties for PSG, last season and was the club's designated spot kick taker until Neymar got himself involved. Image: PA
Given that Cavani already has nine goals in eight games to his name this season and hit 49 in 50, last term on top of his remarkable record of 104 goals in just 138 appearances for Napoli, maybe, just maybe Forlan has a point and Neymar ought to respect his Uruguayan teammate a bit more.
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Quite frankly,Forlan's quotes may be the hottest of all the hot takes that have been given on the feud between Cavani and Neymar, so far.
Do you agree with Forlan or do you think Neymar and Alves were right in their actions during the Lyon game?
Have your say in the comments section below and on our Facebook page.
(H/T Marca)
Topics:Β Football, PSG, Neymar, Diego Forlan, Edinson Cavani