Neymar returns to Paris after whirlwind Brazil trip

RIO DE JANEIRO - Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has returned to the French capital after less than three days in his native Brazil to attend to personal matters.

But the 25-year-old will not feature in PSG's League Cup match against Strasbourg after being granted a rest by coach Unai Emery.

Neither Neymar nor Paris Saint-Germain have revealed the reason for the former Barcelona star's unexpected trip to Brazil.

At a press conference on Monday, Emery said Neymar had asked for permission to travel on Saturday morning and departed Paris shortly after on a long-haul flight.

"He called me to tell me he had an important thing in his family and asked me if the club and I agreed to let him go to Brazil," Emery said.

"It was important for him. The human element is important, sometimes the work goes into the background."

Neymar remained active on social media during his brief stay in Brazil. On Sunday, images were posted of him celebrating the birthday of Reinaldo Pitta, the father his friend, Guilherme Pitta.

On Monday, he appeared in a photo with celebrity dentist Rafael Puglisi after undergoing dental work.