'Clattered': Neymar limping after 'crazy moment' with fans
Neymar was left limping to his hotel ahead of his match for Brazil after two fans accidentally tackled him during a wild interaction before his match against Ecuador.
Two eager fans were clearly excited to see their 29-year-old idol and opted to leap security and charge towards the PSG forward as he was got off the team bus.
'SAD': Captain's tears after brutal Champions League moment
TERRIBLE: David de Gea's wife lashes out over sickening online messages
Neymar was oblivious to the fans as they both charged towards him.
However, one fan slipped over and accidentally collected Neymar in a slide-like tackle.
The other fan tripped over and security were forced to intervene as one fan refused to let go of Neymar.
After a small melee, Neymar limped away as he waved to fans.
The interaction caused a stir on social media with people questioning what had just happened.
Neymar is TACKLED by young fans... causing a LIMP! 😱😱😱
Could this crazy moment impact Brazil's #CopaAmerica hopes? 🤔
The tournament kicks off in 9️⃣ day's time, LIVE on #OptusSport! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/qlhXY5EBpp— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 4, 2021
All eyes on Neymar in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.
Absolutely clattered by two excited fans, with one even trying to steal his shoes before the match 👀#BRAxEQU #WCQ
pic.twitter.com/SkUBao81p1— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) June 5, 2021
Neymar was CLATTERED by two rampaging Brazil fans after getting off the team bus before one of them tries to steal his SHOE.#CopaAmerica #seanknows pic.twitter.com/MEC79R40Yu
— Sean Cardovillis (@sean_cardo) June 4, 2021
I understand that you're neymar fan but you don't need to spear him like that🤣 https://t.co/fSvQYy5GvV
— Nyfbie (@nyfbie) June 4, 2021
Despite limping way to the hotel room, Neymar appeared fine after the interaction as he scored for Brazil less than 24 hours later.
Neymar is the most expensive player in history, moving to PSG from Barcelona in 2017 for €222 ($350).
Neymar scores for Brazil against Ecuador
Neymar scored a retaken penalty as Brazil maintained their perfect start to South American World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win over Ecuador on Friday.
Richarlison had given Brazil the lead on 64 minutes and Neymar sealed the win deep into injury time, but only after another VAR farce.
Referee Alexis Herrera initially gave a free-kick against Gabriel Jesus after contact between him and Angelo Preciado in the Ecuador area five minutes from time.
But after an interminable four-minute VAR review, he changed his mind and awarded a penalty.
Neymar stuttered in his run-up but Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez wasn't fooled and easily saved his weak shot.
Ecuador were then down the other end attacking when Herrera blew his whistle and brought the game back for encroachment by Dominguez.
Neymar retook the penalty and this time sent Dominguez the wrong way.
with Reuters
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
