NEYMAR IN NOU CAMP BUST-UP
Barcelona star has heated training ground tiff with assistant manager Unzue
BARCELONA star Neymar was reportedly involved in a training ground ruckus with assistant manager Juan Carlos Unzue, after the Spaniard told him to ‘focus more on his football’.
The training ground spat began when Luis Enrique’s assistant, who is favourite to take over at the Nou Camp this summer, was discussing tactics with the forward, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Unzue, to whom Enrique often delegates his tactical instructions, highlighted a few things to Neymar and tensions began to grow between the two.
The row then escalated to the point where other members of staff were forced to intervene. Neymar reportedly left the training facility visibly unhappy after the incident, which may be cause for concern at the Nou Camp.
The Brazil international and his team have refused to comment on the episode — or his endeavours away from football such as his clothing range.
The forward is a crucial part of Barca’s attacking threat and Unzue is Enrique’s most trusted adviser and carries a lot of weight within the backroom staff and the dressing room.
He is one of the forerunners to take over from the outgoing Spaniard this summer with some players backing him to succeed Enrique.
The spat comes just days after Brazilian outlet UOL reported that Neymar is a fan of Unzue’s and wants the former goalkeeper to be the man who takes the reins when the manager departs.
He is thought of highly by both players and staff surrounding the Catalan club but it is not the first time he has been involved in fractious encounters with other players.
During the season he has had heated discussions with goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Samuel Umtiti and Ivan Rakitic.
And Barca will be keen to resolve any issue between these powerful figures at the club as they try and stave off Real Madrid as the season draws to its climax.
Enrique’s men are level on points with Los Blancos with a game in hand, but the manager will need both his players and staff singing from the same hymn sheet by the time they travel to Las Palmas on Sunday. Daily Mail