Koeman Calls On Referees To ‘Protect’ Superstars Like Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo

Ronald Koeman is disappointed to hear that Neymar will miss Barcelona’s Champions League clash with PSG due to injury.

Neymar has been ruled out of PSG’s Round of 16 tie against Barcelona on Tuesday after he picked up an injury in the Ligue 1 side’s 1-0 French Cup win over Caen.

As a result, the Dutch manager has called for match officials to protect superstars like Neymar, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and prevent such injuries taking place.

‘You have to protect this type of player,’ Koeman said when asked about Neymar in his pre-match press conference.

‘Players like Neymar, [Lionel] Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo…

‘Because they are the players who allow us to enjoy ourselves. Referees have to protect them, although there is contact in this sport.’

Having already had his star player hit once, PSG Manager Mauricio Pochettino was about to take matters into his own hands during the Caen game…before he was hit again.

As a result, Neymar left of his own accord in the 59th minute and was reportedly seen limping after the game.

A series of scans on Thursday revealed that Neymar had suffered a groin injury and that he would most likely be ruled out for a month.