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Neymar’s father: We’re working on renewing contract with PSG

EFE

Businessmen Neymar da Silva dos Santos, the father of Paris Saint-Germain’s iconic striker, said that his son intends to remain with the French club and renew his contract there.

In an interview published on Monday by the UOL Esporte Web site, Neymar’s father also said that “the dives” the Brazilian national team forward takes on the pitch are a defense mechanism.

“The probability of him not leaving is very high. He’s in the second year of the contract. He has three more years until he finishes the first contract and we’re already working to renew with Paris Saint-Germain,” said Neymar Sr.

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Thus, Neymar’s dad sidestepped discussing the alleged interest harbored by Real Madrid for the 27-year-old, whose contract with PSG runs until 2022.

Neymar Sr. also defended his son against the criticism he receives for the dives he regularly takes on the pitch.

“Neymar throws himself (to the ground), yes. I, in particular, think that Neymar can’t risk it at certain times because he wouldn’t benefit by it,” his father said.

He also noted that his son was very “skinny” to be playing for a professional soccer team when he made his debut in 2009, and he quoted the words uttered at the time by former Brazilian coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who said that the young striker seemed to be “a piece of butterfly meat.”

To reinforce that argument, Neymar’s dad said that on Jan. 23 in PSG’s 2-0 French Cup win over Strasbourg, Neymar didn’t go to the ground although he was fouled twice - infractions that were not called - and on the third occasion he hurt his metatarsal bones, an injury that has kept him sidelined.

“It’s tough, if Neymar stays on his feet, they injure him and if he falls to the ground, they call him a diver. So, it’s better for Neymar to just continue being Neymar,” the businessman said, advising his son “not to lose his joy” while playing and to know how to confront “the press” that criticizes him and “doesn’t know him” well.

“I don’t see him being pampered on the pitch,” Neymar Sr. added, “because I don’t see anyone protecting him, or stroking his head.”

Finally, Neymar’s father defended his son for attending Brazil’s Carnival this year, where he took part in the party events in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro during the time off he had been granted by PSG to recover from his foot injury.

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