Neymar out of PSG’s League Cup clash after returning to Brazil to sort family matter
Unai Emery confirms the world's most-expensive player has been given permission to fly back to South America
NEYMAR will miss Paris Saint-Germain's clash with Strasbourg on Wednesday after flying back to Brazil to deal with a family emergency.
The world's most-expensive player has been given permission to miss the League Cup encounter by boss Unai Emery.
's confirmed squad for the last-16 tie in Strasbourg - where they lost 2-1 in the league 10 days ago was missing as well as Thiago Silva, Thiago Motta, Adrien Rabiot and Layvin Kurzawa.
PSG have won the League Cup in each of the last four seasons.
The Ligue 1 giants are hoping the South American superstar will back in "three or four days".
Neymar missed the 3-1 win over Lille at the weekend due to suspension.
The former Barcelona ace is said to have heard the bad news while in the stands of the Parc des Princes watching their latest triumph.
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Amid speculation as to the reasons behind Neymar's trip home, Brazilian website Globoesporte published social media messages accompanied by photographs which suggest he could have been at the birthday party of his friend's father and had also visited a dental clinic.
On Monday, Neymar published a photo of himself on Twitter with the message: "Focus, strength and faith for the celebration of another day!!"
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It is not the first time family matters have affected the Brazil forward’s club career.
Questions have arisen over injuries suffered and suspensions served around early March, the time of his sister’s birthday.
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Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos joked about the theory when asked about the possibility of playing alongside Neymar at the Bernabeu.
He said Los Blancos would have to “negotiate his sister’s birthday”.
Neymar has scored 15 goals in 20 appearances for the French side since his blockbuster £198m arrival from the Nou Camp in August.