Neymar is only a shadow of himself at the start of the season. As often since the start of this exercise, the Brazilian was the author of a disappointing performance, not to say insignificant, Sunday night, during the Classic against OM (0-0). This sad performance only reinforces the questions about its ability to regain its best level.
Statistics don’t lie. And they are overwhelming for the Parisian n ° 10. In eight games played in all competitions this season in the PSG jersey, Neymar has delivered only two assists and scored only one goal. And again, he was scored on a penalty against Lyon in mid-September (2-1). This is little. Far too little for a player of his standing and very far from his standards since his arrival in the capital in the summer of 2017.
According to his numerous injuries and his fluctuating physical form, his influence has continued to decrease over the years with Paris to be practically non-existent in recent weeks. Like his copy returned to the Vélodrome, where he missed everything he did. Yet positioned in a playmaker role that he loves, the former Barcelona player stood out for his many ball losses (16) and his inability to make a difference with his dribbling.
Mental weariness
Admittedly, he was perhaps not 100% due to an embarrassment to the adductor which had forced him to give up the Champions League match in midweek against RB Leipzig (3-2), but this is an increasingly worrying recurrence for the native of Santos, who is struggling to recover his true level and go up the slope. Whether it will succeed remains to be seen.
On these last outings, the doubts are legitimate, even if we should never bury the players of his talent. Especially at 29 years old, Neymar, who has expressed a certain mental fatigue in recent weeks, still has many years ahead of him to become this elusive player again and capable of rocking a match on his own. Provided that his private life and his differences do not come to spoil the end of his career. Like other Brazilians before him.
In any case, he can always count on the support of his teammates and his coach Mauricio Pochettino, who at a press conference was satisfied with his player’s performance in Marseille. Statements which were surely intended to protect his number 10 in the face of increasingly insistent criticism. But his patience could very quickly reach its limits. Especially if Neymar does not correct the shot very quickly.