Neymar 'invites 500 guests' to mansion party in Brazil over Christmas period

Neymar has landed himself in hot water with the Brazilian press, as he stands accused of organising an extravagant party for more than 500 guests in Rio de Janeiro over Christmas.

The PSG forward is back in his native Brazil for a short break as he recovers from an ankle problem, and while his lavish lifestyle has made headlines in the past, it has rarely been as widely criticised.

O Globo have lifted the lid on the 28-year-old's plans to invite 500 guests to a party in his mansion on the island district of Mangaratiba. Festivities are said to have kicked off on Christmas Day, and will last until after the new year.

It's claimed that Neymar is well aware of the potential consequences of hosting hundreds of guests in the middle of the worsening Covid-19 crisis and has installed sound-proofing to keep neighbours in the dark. O Globo also say that he has banned guests from bringing mobile phones.

Brazil has recorded 7.5m Covid-19 cases, the third highest in the world behind the USA and India. 190,000 people have died from the virus in the South American country with only the US registering more deaths.

With Marca adding that he went as far as to hire a band to entertain his guests over the course of the week long party, then, it's easy to see why fierce criticisms have been thrown in Neymar's direction.

It should be noted that lockdown restrictions in Rio have been eased over the New Year, but even tourism minister Gilson Machado, who has been vocal about the 'necessity' of Hogmanay celebrations, has called to limit gatherings to 300 people or less.

Per The Telegraph, beach parties and firework displays in the Brazilian capital have been banned as the government look to get a handle on the spiralling crisis.

High-profile figures such as Neymar throwing caution to the wind, then, will likely spark fury among officials.