After attending Neymar’s birthday party in Paris 48 hours before last month’s Copa del Rey first leg match against Real Madrid, Barcelona midfielder Arthur Melo has admitted he was wrong in doing so.
Arthur traveled to Paris to celebrate Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar’s 27th birthday on Feb. 4. He returned to Spain for training the following day and started against Madrid at Camp Nou on Feb. 6, injuring his hamstring in a 1-1 draw. The Brazilian midfielder started in Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano but was subbed off in the 46th minute for Ousmane Dembele.
Speaking ahead of their Olympique Lyon clash, Arthur admitted that he was wrong to attend the party, “I think I messed up going to Paris, to Neymar’s party. Life has these moments. Sometimes you do the right thing, sometimes you make a mistake. I knew what I was doing. I was excited to go, but I am big enough to take responsibility for my actions.
“You learn from your mistakes. I apologised to the coach and my teammates. It was a difficult moment for me, but I am giving all I can. I know there are things to improve.”