When Paris Saint-Germain splashed out a record-breaking €222 million on Neymar, they did so with the belief that a serious return on that investment would be delivered within the Champions League. Having spent their way to dominance on a domestic scene in France, those at Parc des Princes made no secret of the fact that European glory was now the number one target for all concerned. Failure was not an option after working so hard and digging so deep to complete an expensively-assembled puzzle.
Four-and-a-half years on from that momentous summer in which the face of football transfer markets changed forever, PSG are still waiting on the Holy Grail. In the present, having made their way to the last-16 once more, they are priced at odds of +900 to be crowned the winners, for those looking to bet on Champions League markets. Such standing is enough to make them contenders, but will they be serious challengers? If they are to chase down the ultimate prize in Saint Petersburg on May 22nd, then they are going to need Neymar to start pulling his weight.
For too much of his time in the French capital, the Brazilian superstar has been unavailable when expectant employers need him most. Unfortunately Neymar’s untimely injuries at the business end of any given campaign have become a recurring theme. Consider, for example, the fact that another knock was picked up back in November, and Neymar now has an ankle problem that is proving difficult to shake. No definitive return date has been put in place as the lucrative asset is eased back to full fitness.
Can Neymar deliver?
There have been suggestions that Neymar could come back into play before PSG return to a continental stage against Real Madrid, but how much competitive game time he has taken in before La Liga giants pay a visit to Paris remains to be seen.
Much of the attention in a two-legged tie with the Blancos will be focused on Lionel Messi, as the ex- Barcelona superstar prepares to be reunited with familiar rivals from Spain, but others need to share that spotlight. Let’s not forget Sergio Ramos, who would have reveled in a meeting with his former club, is another of those dealing with an unfortunate physical setback. Kylian Mbappe should be raring to go, but will his eye be taken off the ball by talk of an imminent move to Madrid being made?
Neymar was acquired for moments such as this and, having shown what he is capable of during a run to the final in 2020, has to start delivering on his undoubted promise. He remains a match-winner on his best days, of that there is no doubt, but PSG have not seen enough of that in contests that really matter.
This has certainly been the case in a Champions League arena of late, with the Brazilian international going goalless through his last eight appearances in the competition. That run stretches back to a meeting with Istanbul Basaksehir in early December 2020, when he grabbed a hat-trick against Turkish opponents. He has his own history with Real, netting against them on three occasions during his time at Barcelona, and bringing a 14-month goal drought to a close when facing them once more could help him to edge PSG towards the prize that they covet most.