NEYMAR found himself at the centre of a coronavirus crisis storm, when he was accused of flaunting self-isolation rules.
The PSG star flew to Brazil on a private jet with pals, and shared snaps on social media playing beach volleyball with his mates.
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It drew scores of complaints on social media, but Neymar insists he wasn’t breaking social-distancing rules – with everyone in quarantine together.
And they are spending their time in Neymar’s £7million mansion 60 miles down the coast from Rio de Janeiro – where he stayed in 2018 before the World Cup to nurse his broken foot.
Of course, it’s a property that’s fit for a king – and the world’s most expensive player.
PARADISE
The £7million villa is found in the resort of Mangaratiba – a place where Sylvester Stallone shot action movie The Expendables.
Built on a two-and-a-half acre plot, the property rests in the exclusive and gated estate called Portobello.
And it’s amenities are just simply out of this world.
Not many footballers can say their house boasts a helipad and jetty, but Neymar can.
The latter is where he docks is yacht, the Embraer Phenom 100E.
There’s also plenty of self-isolation essentials – like a gym, tennis court, sauna, massage room, spa and jacuzzi.
If that’s not enough. there’s an underground cellar with space for 3,000 bottles of wine. Neymar’s neighbours include footballer Emerson Sheik and Brazilian Emmy-nominated actress Adriana Esteves.
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DREAM HOME
A local described the property as a “dream home” when it first emerged Neymar had bought it.
He showed off the swimming pool of the mansion on Instagram soon after he made the multi-million pound purchase by posting a photo of himself with friends in the water.
The caption read: “In life people only need love and friends.”
The villa is also a short drive from famous Angra Dos Reis, a popular getaway for Rio residents and a beautiful mirage of 365 islands.
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DON’T BE FOOLED
Despite appearing to break quarantine rules, that game of beach volleyball actually took place in the confines of his sprawling estate.
And those friends that are staying with him are actually in quarantine with him.
His communication manager revealed: “The photo in question was published on Neymar’s Instagram and shows him with other people who are in quarantine with him, people who live and travelled together from Paris to Brazil.
“Neymar offered his home to all of them so they could spend the first 14 days there before meeting up with their respective families.
“The house where the athlete is doing his quarantine is totally isolated and provides peace and serenity so he can continue training and looking after his loved ones at this time of world pain and confinement.
“There are no visits or business meetings at the house, above all because the residential estate it’s on only permits access to residents.
“The exception in terms of visitors has been his son, Davi Lucca, who came to the house to stay with his dad.
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“David, his mum, his stepdad and his brother were in Paris days earlier to visit him.
“Neymar is staying apart from other members of his family, like his mum, sister and grandmother, for example, because he understands this is a moment that demands an effort for the common good.”
And we can think of worse places to be holed up in while self-isolating.
