It was the 56th minute in the French Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Racing Strasbourg, when Moataz Zemzemi literally hunted down PSG star Neymar. Zemzemi kicked his opponent three times before the Brazilian fell to the ground. Neymar returned the favor by loping Zemzemi's head after the free-kick. Shortly thereafter, he had to be replaced injured.

Neymar was not amused, but after the action had struck off the court. pic.twitter.com/1gRctCQikr

- DAZN DE (@DAZN_EN) 24 January 2019

Paris won the game 2-0, but the joy of winning the Cup final was marred by the failure Neymars. Preliminary examinations revealed "another painful lesion of the fifth right metatarsal," as PSG confirmed. How long Neymar we fail, is not fixed yet. A year ago, he suffered a hairline fracture on his right foot, had to undergo surgery and missed last season's entire second leg.

"The doctor is worried Neymar is worried because it's the same foot and the same spot," said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel, complaining that his superstar is not being better protected. "In the situation, he was fouled three times, and the referee did not do anything," Tuchel said. In fact, the referee whistled - but only when Neymar went down after the third kick.

"That's just a mockery"

AFP

Staßburg coach Thierry Laurey (r.) Received Neymar after his substitution on the sidelines in reception

Tuchel's Strasbourg coach colleague Thierry Laurey defended his players and blamed Neymar for being fouled so many times. "There are times when you have to expect a kick or two if you overdo it," Laurey said. "I did not tell my player to kick Neymar, but I understand they're sick of being exposed and provoked."

As an example, he stated that Neymar - in contrast to other top players - play in situations with the hoe in which this is not necessary. "That's just ridicule then," Laurey said. "If Neymar does that against Manchester United, he'll get the same reaction, which should not surprise anyone." On February 12 PSG meets in the first knockout round of the Champions League on the Red Devils.

Strasbourg midfielder Anthony Gonçalves said: "This is Neymar's style, whoever plays like this must not complain when he's kicked in. He's a great player, I respect him, and if he enjoys it, he should do it, but not afterwards whining. "