The US sportswear giant said it ended its deal with Neymar after he failed to cooperate with a sexual assault probe. The PSG striker dubbed that suggestion "an absurd lie."
Puma began its sponsorship with Neymar last year, replacing NikeImage: Reuters/B. Tessier
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Neymar hit back at Nike on Friday, accusing the sports manufacturer of lying after the brand said it parted company with the Brazilian because he refused to cooperate with its internal investigation into an employee's accusation he sexually assaulted her.
"[To] state that my contract was terminated because I did not contribute in good faith to an investigation, is an absurd lie," the Paris Saint-Germain striker said on Instagram.
"I was not given the opportunity to defend myself," he continued. "I was not given the opportunity to know who this person was that was allegedly offended. I don't even know her. I've never had any kind of relationship or approach with this person."
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Nike sponsored Neymar from the age of 13
The statement came a day after Nike said it ended its 15-year association with the soccer star over the alleged 2016 incident — which was reported to the company in 2018 — and his failure to cooperate with its internal investigation.
The split between Neymar and Nike happened last year, with no reason provided by either side at the time. But the sports firm responded with a statement on Thursday to a story in the Wall Street Journal concerning the assault claims and referenced its own internal investigation.
"No single set of facts emerged that would enable us to speak substantively on the matter," the statement said. "It would be inappropriate for Nike to make an accusatory statement without being able to provide supporting facts."
Neymar teamed up with Puma in September 2020, with the German sportswear giant providing the soccer star with footwear and clothing in a deal that nets the Brazilian around €25 million ($30.5 million) a year.
Coronavirus: Celebrities who've tested positive
From Hollywood to Bollywood, numerous movie stars have contracted COVID-19 since the pandemic broke out. The virus has also found its way to the top athletes.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Sputnik/E. Chesnokova
Robert Pattinson
The 34-year-old, best known for starring as sparkly vampire Edward Cullen in Twilight, tested positive for COVID-19, pausing the production of his film The Batman just three days after it resumed. Pattinson, who also played Cedric Diggory in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, took on his latest role after Ben Affleck stepped down last year.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Sputnik/E. Chesnokova
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
The wrestler-turned-movie star has become one of the latest A-List celebrities to contract COVID-19. In a video on Instagram, Johnson revealed that he, his wife and two young daughters have tested positive — adding that he'd had "a rough go" with symptoms. He also urged for people to stop "politicizing" the pandemic and to "wear your mask."
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/R. Shotwell
Neymar
The Brazilian football icon is one of three Paris Saint-Germain players to contract the virus, news agency AFP reported September 2. The outbreak at the club is believed to be linked to a holiday trip the team took to the Spanish island of Ibiza. Neymar later posted a picture on Instagram with his son, who also reportedly tested positive, reading: "Thank you for your messages. We're all fine!"
Image: Getty Images/AFP/D. Ramos
Usain Bolt
Running legend Usain Bolt tested positive just days after holding a party to celebrate his 34th birthday in late August. The record-holder for the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints said he'd gone into quarantine but that he wasn't exhibiting symptoms. Videos of Bolt's outdoor birthday party showed guests not wearing masks during the celebration.
Image: Reuters/M. Childs
Antonio Banderas
The Spanish actor had an unwelcome surprise for his 60th birthday in mid-August after testing positive for the coronavirus. Banderas said he spent his birthday in isolation and that he was "more tired than usual" but "hoping to recover as soon as possible."
Image: picture-alliance/Captital Pictures
Amitabh Bachchan and his family
The Bollywood movie legend revealed in July that he'd tested positive for the virus and spent three weeks in the hospital before being discharged in early August. His son Abhishek, actress daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai and granddaughter Aaradhya also contracted the virus. Bachchan's son remains in hospital.
Image: AFP/Getty Images/S. Jaiswal
Tom Hanks
Actor Tom Hanks and his wife, the actor and singer Rita Wilson, were among the first celebrities to announce they'd contracted the virus. The couple tested positive for the virus in mid-March while in Australia. After recovering and returning to the United States, Hanks has advocated for people to do their part to slow the spread of the disease.
