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Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has said that the “beautiful game is over” after Lyon player Lucas Paqueta was shown a yellow card for attempting a rainbow flick during a Ligue 1 match on Wednesday.
Paqueta scored in Lyon’s 3-1 victory over Troyes but in the stoppage time, the midfielder attempted to flick the ball over Giulian Biancone who reacted angrily to the piece of skill.
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Referee Stephanie Frappart booked Paqueta following the trick but Neymar was disappointed and criticised the decision on Instagram.
“This episode is very, very sad, receiving a yellow card for a dribble,” he wrote on social media. “The technical gesture is a solution, no matter where it takes place and no matter what minute it is performed.
“The same thing happened to me last season. This year, it’s happened to Paqueta. Honestly, I don’t understand the reasons. The famous ‘Joga Bonito’ [beautiful game] is over. Enjoy while it lasts.”
Neymar reacted angrily when he was booked by referee Jerome Brisard for performing the same skill in PSG’s 5-0 win against Montpellier last February.
The Brazil international confronted the officials in the tunnel at half-time and following the match, he wrote on his Instagram: “I just play football.”
Neymar helped PSG continue their winning start to the league campaign with a 2-1 win at Metz on Wednesday thanks to a double from new signing Achraf Hakimi.