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ESPN staff 6y

PSG's Neymar should have more respect for opponents - Andrea Raggi

Monaco defender Andrea Raggi said that Neymar should respect his opponents, after the Brazil international was heavily criticised for his prank during PSG's match against Rennes on Tuesday.

"Neymar must show more humility towards his fellow players", Raggi told journalist after his team's 2-0 win against Montpellier in the Coupe de la Ligue on Wednesday.

The former Barcelona player, after being booked for a foul on defender Hamari Traore, went to pull the opponent up, only to withdraw his hand back when the Rennes defender reached up to grab it, and jog away with a smile.

"I saw what he did and I think a champion like Neymar should have a little more respect for other players," Raggi said. "For me, it wasn't a great thing to do."

Neymar has defended his actions, claiming: "It's the kind of thing that I do with my friends all the time. Why not with opponents? It was just a joke."

Raggi's Monaco will face PSG in the Coupe de la Ligue final on March 31 in Bordeaux.

The clubs have already met twice this season, with Unai Emery's team winning on both occasions.

"The final will be a revenge for us," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "It will be a difficult game, but we will do everything to win it.

"Neymar is a great champion, but has to learn to respect his rivals better. Better not say how I would have reacted if he held out his hand and then withdrew it."

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