Neymar was sent off in the final minutes of PSG's game on Sunday. He could now attend Brazil's Carnival for the 6th year running - even though it's right in the middle of the soccer season.
- Neymar's red card during Paris Saint Germain's 4-3 win over Bordeaux means he could be able to celebrate Carnival in Brazil for the sixth year running.
- The Brazilian lashed out in the 92nd minute to pick up a second yellow during Sunday's match, meaning he will now be suspended when PSG's host Dijon on February 29.
- Carnival officially ends on February 25 before the start of lent, but celebrations often continue across the country until the end of the week.
- Neymar has been absent around the time of the festival for each of the last five seasons.
- Last week, he announced on Instagram, according to AS, that he wouldn't be attending to avoid "controversy."
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Neymar has attended Brazil's annual Carnival for each of the last five years, despite the fact it lies right in the middle of the European soccer season.
Whether it be injury or suspension, the 28-year-old has always found a reason to return to his native country and celebrate at the world's biggest street party.
This year, he could once again be free to fly home after picking up a 92nd minute red card in Paris Saint Germain's 4-3 win over Bordeaux on Sunday.
Neymar lashed out at Yacine Adli in stoppage time to pick up a second yellow, meaning he will now be suspended for PSG's game against Dijon on February 29.
PSG coach Thomas Tuchel defended the Brazilian after his sending off, saying: "He is nervous and he reacts. It is human. He must not, but it is human. And the Bordeaux player does not even get a yellow card."
Carnival, which celebrates the last few days of the Christian calendar before the beginning of lent, officially ends on February 25, though many Brazilian cities, such as Sao Paolo, continue the festivities right until the end of the week.
Prior to his suspension, Neymar told his 134 million Instagram followers that he won't be attending this year's event to avoid controversy.
"With immense joy I announce that I won't be at the 2020 Carnival," he said in a story on Friday, according to AS. "That way there won't be any controversy this time."
Whilst with former club FC Barcelona, Neymar was able to attend Carnival in both 2015 and 2016 due to suspension.
Since joining PSG in 2017, he's been out of action with a variety of injuries, including a broken metatarsal, each year at the time of Carnival.
Whether or not his latest absence will see him go back on his word and travel once again for the festivities remains to be seen.
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