Neymar of the Paris St. Germain (PSG) will miss French Ligue 1 game at Nantes on Tuesday with a rib injury he picked up in the first half of the 5-0 win over the Montpellier on February 1.

The runaway league leaders said on their website that although the Brazilian finished the match, the injury was confirmed by tests conducted on Monday.

Neymar needed treatment after tangling with Arnaud Souquet of Montpellier near the end of the first period and angrily complained to the fourth official in the tunnel at halftime.

Despite injury, Neymar celebrated his 28th birthday in a Paris club on Sunday.

French sports daily L'Equipe reported that the event took place in a western Paris club and that the PSG players and a few members of the staff had been invited by the Brazilian, who turns 28 on Wednesday.

"The substitution of Kylian and Ney's birthday are distractions; it gives the impression that we are not serious," said PSG's German coach Thomas Tuchel during a news conference on Monday.

"Is it the best way to prepare for a match? No, clearly not.

"Is it the worst thing in the world? No," he added.

"I always protect my players, and I really love my team. With this party, I accept that it is a bit difficult to protect the players, but the context is not simply black or white," he said.

"It is a shame, because we are giving people the chance to speak badly of us. We need to adapt to the situation, but I am not going to leave a player on the bench or at home because they went out and celebrated."

On Neymar's birthday, Tuchel added, "It gives the impression that we are not 100 percent focused and professional."

Tuchel also mentioned his 21-year-old French striker Kylian Mbappe who showed his frustration when he was replaced in the 68th minute of a 5-0 win against nine-man Montpellier.

"There is nothing personal between him and me. These things happen."

PSG are 12 points clear of Olympique de Marseille with 55 points from 22 games as they bid to retain their title.