Neymar got involved in a weird handshake with the match referee Ortiz Arias following PSG’s 1-1 draw against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League Group H clash.
An outrageous strike from Lionel Messi, assisted by Neymar, gave PSG an early lead against the run of play, but they were pulled back to the level following an own goal from Danilo Pereira.
Neymar didn’t have a great game, as he wasn’t allowed space to maneuver and link up with Messi and Kylian Mbappe. After the final whistle, Neymar’s handshake with the match official turned sour, when he seemed to cover his mouth to whisper something.
The referee wasn’t pleased with the Brazillian’s words and held his hand following the handshake. Neymar then offered a sarcastic thumbs-up before walking back angrily to the tunnel. He was booked for a rash challenge on Benfica’s Florentino.
“I just met the referee and talked to him. He apologized. But now I already have the yellow card. This is a complete lack of respect for the players. The referees have to be there to protect us,” he said of the incident.
Last month, Neymar slammed the Champions League referee on social media, after he was shown yellow for celebrating his goal. “Total lack of respect for the athlete,” he wrote. “This kind of thing can’t happen. I take the yellow for simply not having done anything and I continue to be harmed. And the referee? Not even to say he was wrong, he will! A lot of lack of respect.”
Fabian Ruiz and Marco Verratti were also booked as the game turned into a heated affair in the second half. Players from both sides clashed again after PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma found himself on the receiving end of a reckless challenge.
It was a very tense affair for the PSG, as they were simply outrun by the home side in the initial moments of the game. The ebullient atmosphere Estádio da Luz seemed to be adding extra pressure on the PSG, throwing flares when Lionel Messi arrived to take a corner. The draw leaves both teams at level with seven points each, but Benfica is placed below due to their inferior goal difference.
Lead Image: Champions League/Twitter
