Europe 1 with AFP 6:46 p.m., January 5, 2023
The Brazilian star of Paris Saint-Germain Neymar will not play in the 32nd final of the Coupe de France against Châteauroux on Friday at 9 p.m., to "treat the big sprain of the ankle" contracted during the World Cup, said his coach Christophe Galtier Thursday.
Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi will also be absent.
Paris without its star trio.
While Kylian Mbappé is currently on vacation and Lionel Messi in the recovery phase, PSG will also be without Neymar for the trip to Châteauroux on Friday in the 32nd final of the Coupe du France.
"Neymar's absence (…) had been planned for some time. The players who left for the World Cup were + assessed + by our medical staff, and we had decided that "Ney" was going to treat his big sprained ankle in that period," said Galtier during the traditional pre-match press conference.
>> READ ALSO
- French defender Samuel Umtiti in tears after being targeted by racist cries
Victim of a sprain
The Brazilian suffered a sprained right ankle in the first game against Serbia before making his comeback in the round of 16, scoring a goal against South Korea.
The Seleçao had been eliminated in the quarter by Croatia.
The capital club will therefore not be able to count on any member of its attacking trio, the "MNM", because Leo Messi only returned to training yesterday, after celebrating his victory at the World Cup, and Kylian Mbappé is at rest.
French striker and Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi are enjoying a few days off after resuming training following the 2022 World Cup.
Very disappointed by the elimination against Croatia, Neymar had missed his first meeting with PSG against Strasbourg, being excluded.
But Galtier said he was "not worried at all".
"We have a Neymar like what he has been doing since the start of the season, he recalled. He was very disappointed, we are lucky to have a very invested Neymar. Obviously, we take care of him physically."