Neymar: Im Not Trying To Reconcile With Cavani

Story ByAlex CopeSub EditorJoseph GolderAgencyGolder’s News And Sport 

Neymar has claimed he was not trying to “reconcile” with Edinson Cavani after handing his teammate the ball to take a penalty two years after their infamous bust-up.

The Brazilian superstar surprisingly handed the ball to Cavani for an 84th-minute penalty in Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 win over Galatasaray on Wednesday night in the Champions League.

The pair famously clashed on the pitch over a penalty against Lyon in 2017, with Cavani refusing to hand the ball over before missing from 12 yards.

Speaking after Wednesday’s convincing win, Neymar told Brazilian media outlet ‘Esporte Interativo’: “I didn’t do that to reconcile with anyone, my first thoughts are with the group, the team. Individualism doesn’t fit in football. If I wanted that I would play tennis, I’d play alone.

“It’s football. Everyone has to feel good. He (Cavani) needed this. Every attacker needs a goal. He was content, I was happy, that’s the way forward. Everyone needs to improve. That is what matters.”

Neymar was also asked about the upcoming Club World Cup and if he would be supporting Liverpool because of his friendship with countrymen Roberto Firmino and Alisson Becker, or Brazilian side Flamengo.

He answered: “I have friends in both (Liverpool and Flamengo). Firmino and Alisson are great friends. Flamengo have Gabriel (Barbosa), Rafinha, Diego, Filipe (Luis) but I’m going to go with the Brazilian team. I’m going with Flamengo.

“I’m Brazilian, I hope they can end this great year well. They have already made history, I hope they can continue and become world champions.”

Neymar himself scored in PSG’s win over Galatasaray which saw them finish top of their group with five wins from a possible six ahead of Real Madrid in second.

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