João Neves arrives at PSG in a van to deliver donations to charities

João Neves swapped the supercar for a van. On Tuesday morning, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder arrived at the Poissy Campus driving a simple utility van, a stark contrast to the usual parade of luxury sedans that pass through the training centre gates every day.

Far from a bet or a whim, the gesture hid a charitable intention. The back of the vehicle was loaded with hundreds of items and supplies intended for associations supported by the PSG Foundation. Before joining his teammates, the 22-year-old player took time to sign autographs and pose for selfies with supporters present, who praised the gesture on social media.

It was not the Portuguese international’s first notable appearance off the football pitch. On Sunday evening, according to L’Équipe, Neves had slipped incognito into the stands of a gymnasium in Eaubonne to attend a French Cup handball match between Élite Val-d’Oise and C’Chartres Métropole. He had come to support his cousin André Garcias José, centre half for Chartres, a sport that Neves himself practised extensively before breaking through in football.

Seduced by the player’s simplicity, Chartres coach Thierry Anti humorously extended an invitation for him to come train with his squad.